The Bourbon County Democratic Party
monthly meeting will be at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 at Shelter House #7, Gunn Park.
Bring a mask and stay safe.
Contact [email protected]
Death Notice of John Sweet, Sr.
John Michael Sweet, Sr., resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, November 8, 2020, at his home. Private family committal will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott. Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.
City of Uniontown Receives SPARK Grant
The City of Uniontown has received SPARK funds to help during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19 with statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund, according to https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
“The City of Uniontown did receive $39,041 in direct aid for various projects, not economic development, as designated by our application,” City Clerk Sally Johnson said.
There are two projects the city will use the funds for.
They will renovate the entrance to city hall to install a service window/barrier between public and city employees so that in-person transactions can be safely facilitated, Johnson said.
Personal Protection Equipment purchased July through December 2020 will be paid for with the funds as will purchasing hardware/software to effectively conduct virtual meetings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, she said.
The city government will also purchase and install a handwashing station and barriers, to allow for closure of public areas of congregation as needed, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Johnson said.
In addition, the city will purchase hardware/software to automate the city’s library to make it accessible while closed to the public due to COVID-19.
“We are a small library, without much space for social distancing,” Johson said. “Our library patrons come from rural areas and in town. When we are closed due to COVID-19 we would like to be able to offer curbside pickup or delivery in town. We don’t have any way to provide online browsing or check out due to our library currently still using paper cards to check out books, paper library cards, and handwritten inventory. If patrons could access online browsing and check out for our hundreds of books, videos, and books on tape, no one would have to be without entertainment during this pandemic.” 3) Purchase and install a hand washing station and barriers, to allow for closure of public areas of congregation as needed, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The city received the funds on October 13, and it must be expended by December 30, she said.
“We applied for funds in order for the City to better mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for the protection of staff and citizens,” Johnson said. ” We chose projects that we felt would benefit the most citizens and protect our staff at the same time.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 13
Obituary of John Kruger
John Fredrick Kruger, age 68, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at his home.
He was born February 11, 1952, in Ft. Scott, the son of Elvin and Margaret Johnson Kruger. He graduated from Uniontown high school with the class of 1970. He married Vicki Harris on April 22, 1972, in Ft. Scott.
John worked for Mid-Continental Restoration for many years until retirement. He enjoyed playing slow pitch softball with his many friends. He was a big fan of the KC Chiefs, KU basketball, stock car racing, and Elvis music. John was known as “Chicken Man” for his prowess in raising fighting chickens.
He attended the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include his wife Vicki of the home; a son, Leroy Kruger and wife Christina, Ft. Scott; a daughter Brooke Bolin and husband Ron, Ft. Scott; 2 sisters, Linda Turner and Gail Dalton of Ft. Scott; a sister-in-law, Terri Shelton and husband Don, Ft. Scott; 4 grandchildren, Jordan Holdridge, Austin Kruger, Lexi Kruger, and Raegan Bolin; 3 great-grandchildren, Blakyn, Kyson, and Cali Holdridge with one more on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Rod Perez and Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 17th, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.
New Kansas Rural Development Program
Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Rural Economic Development Program
~ Kansas Main Street Affiliate Community Program will promote economic development in rural communities across Kansas ~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced the creation of the Kansas Main Street Affiliate Community Program, an initiative designed to introduce more Kansas communities to the resources and technical assistance offered through Kansas Main Street.
The new Affiliate Community Program is a membership-based program that invites representatives from participating communities to attend training and technical service sessions normally reserved for only the 25 designated Main Street program communities in the state. This allows those communities not involved fully with Main Street to still reap significant benefits from the program.
“My administration brought back the Main Street program because it is a proven tool to help Kansas’ rural communities recruit and retain businesses, and restore and preserve the unique history of their downtown corridors,” Governor Kelly said. “This Affiliate Community Program will bring more resources for downtown development to rural Kansas communities to maintain the health and viability of their downtowns, and will be a strong resource for my administration to highlight as we continue to recruit new businesses to our state.”
The Kansas Main Street program originally launched in 1985 has helped dozens of mostly rural communities work toward ensuring their downtowns remain viable. The program was ended by the Brownback administration in 2012 but resurrected in late 2019 by Governor Kelly. There are currently 25 designated Kansas Main Street communities in the program.
Kansas Main Street is a cornerstone of the Community Development Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce and is one of many investments made in rural Kansas with the support of the Office of Rural Prosperity led by Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers.
“Since Governor Kelly announced the return of Kansas Main Street last year, the program has been an incredible success,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “So many rural communities have benefitted from the Main Street program and its resources. This Affiliate Community program will undoubtedly bring Main Street to even greater heights, benefitting communities across our state.”
To participate in the program, fill out and submit the online form here.
The cost to become an Affiliate Community is $400.
Kansas Main Street is affiliated with the National Main Street Center. Main Street is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy based on four points: organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring. While there are no federal funds provided directly to Main Street communities, designated cities are eligible for training and technical assistance designed to help them become self-sufficient in downtown revitalization.
“As we work to help those 25 designated communities continue to be successful with their downtown revitalization efforts, we also want to expand the program’s reach and bring some of the same tools to more communities, organizations and individuals who care about their local downtown,” Scott Sewell, director of the Kansas Main Street program, said. “We look forward to introducing the Main Street approach to a broader audience that cares about the revitalization of their downtowns.”
For more information on the Kansas Main Street program, contact Scott Sewell, Director of Kansas Main Street, at (785) 296-3485 or [email protected].
Eugene Ware Students Nominated For Honor Choir
Eight fifth-graders from Eugene Ware Elementary were nominated for the Southeast Kansas Music Educators Association Elementary Honor Choir: Emilea Barrett, Sophie Durrossette, Megan Parada, Joshua Porter, Lily Saldivar, London Turner, Jaiden Watkins, and Ainsley Wheeler.
This honor choir typically takes place in January and is made up of singers in 5th and 6th grade throughout Southeast Kansas.
Due to the pandemic, students will not have the opportunity to sing together face to face. These students continue to keep choral music alive by singing at home and through Eugene Ware Youth Choir: Virtual Edition.
Contact: MJ Harper, 620-719-6633, [email protected]
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Welcomes New Members
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is an open organization and welcomes anyone of any age interested in joining and participating, according to Jim Kemmerer, a spokesman for the group.
“Our goal is to celebrate, demonstrate, and continue the past practices of farm and rural life. For further information please contact me, Jim Kemmerer, at 620-224-2275 or [email protected]. “
“I just learned that PHF has reduced the prices of the 2020 Show hats and shirts even further,” Kemmerer said. ” $4.00 each or two for $7.50. Plenty of both for sale, and multiple shirt sizes to choose from.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 12
Listen to Podcasts of Mercy Hospital Closing
Sarah Jane Tribble, a journalist who spent two years telling the story of the closing of Mercy Hospital, offers her podcasts for the listening public.
“Want to ignore what’s happening in DC and escape COVID for a moment?” she said on her Facebook page. “Here’s a distraction: All chapters of my new podcast Where It Hurts are available via@KHNews&@stlpublicradio
Here’s a list of Fort Scott residents who bravely opened up and shared their pain and courage: Tanner and Sherise Beckham, Dave Martin, Fred Campbell, Reta Baker, Pat and Ralph Wheeler, Dr. Maxwell Self, Linda Findley, Karen Endicott-Coyan, and the late Roxine Poznich, who owned Books & Grannies.
Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/…/where-it…/id1529977695…
Maycumber Receives Community Block Development Grant
Chris Maycumber. owner of Mayco Ace Hardware, 205 Scott, is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant to repair his building. The grant was for $225,000, with Maycumber matching with $75,000.
According to the website: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs :
“The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community.
CDBG awards are given in four primary categories:
- Annual Competitive Grants
- Water and Sewer
- Housing Rehabilitation
- Community Facilities
- Economic Development Grants
- Commercial Rehabilitation Grants
- Urgent Need Grants”
Maycumber’s grant is for rehabilitating his building.
“It’s to fix up the appearance of the building exterior,” he said. “The roof, windows, doors, and anything that will get the building up to city code.”
The CDBG process began in 2018, he said.
“After a few snafu’s and the COVID-19 pandemic, it put us behind,” Maycumber said.
When the state does a CDB Grant, the project is put into a state-wide website, where contractors can bid on the specifications.
Although he can’t determine the contractors for the project, Maycumber said he hopes to use local businesses.
Currently, Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is providing the building specs, he said.
“The state hasn’t put their money up yet, then we do, then the process to bid begins,” Maycumber said.
Thirty days after the project has let bids, they will know who the contractors are.
“Hopefully, by the end of November,” he said. “Then they will have so many days to finish the project.
The storefront at 203 State, north of the hardware store is the focus of the grant.
The last store in that building was Dollar General Store, who left in 2015, he said.
The 203 and 205 State building is owned by Maycumber with his mother, Joyce Maycumber.
Cooking As A Family
Submitted by MaKayla Stroud
Southwind Extension District
4-H Program Assistant
Cooking as a Family
Wash your hands, put on an apron, and gather your family into the heart of your home to create delicious dishes and more!
Whether it comes from a box mix or completely from scratch, spending time as a family in the kitchen has many benefits such as establishing culinary skills, making yummy food, and creating lifelong memories.
The first benefit of a family unit cooking together is building and improving culinary skills.
The kitchen is a great teaching environment to help your kids build lifelong skills that will help them nurture themselves and others.
Depending on the ages of children and their abilities, what can of recipes you can tackle together. You can even make it competitive by splitting into teams to see who can make the best meal or dish.
Obviously, the main reason to work with ingredients is to make yummy food. Studies show when the adults within a household help prepare and cook food with their children, better nutrition practices can be established earlier and continued throughout their lives.
Youth who are involved in the kitchen are educated about their food supply therefore making them informed consumers.
Another reward for working together with food is creating lifelong memories. When children grow up, they may not remember the exact dessert or meal you prepared with them however they will remember the laughs, stories, and fun they had with their family.
Yes, it might take longer to prepare & cook your dish, however you are completing a daily task while writing another story within your book of memories.
So, go ahead and grab a family favorite from your recipe box or cookbook and get together soon so you can make a delicious meal while improving your cooking skills and creating a lifetime of memories.
If you are interested in other family fun ideas, go to our Facebook page or YouTube channel named Southwind District 4-H or visit southwind.ksu.edu for more youth development resources.