All posts by Submitted Story

City of Uniontown Council Special Meeting Agenda for March 19

CALL TO ORDER AT _________ by __________________________________________

ROLL CALL:

 ____ Jess Ervin ____ Danea Esslinger ____ Amber Kelly ­­____ Mary Pemberton  ____ Bradley Stewart

 

Motion by _____________, Second by  __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to interview applicants of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.

 

Obituary of Richard Riley

Richard Jack Riley, age 85, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.  He was born March 10, 1939, in Ft. Scott, the son of Wallace Riley and Dorothy Brotherton Riley.  Richard graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.

He married Phyllis Darlene Totman on August 31, 1957, at Miami, Oklahoma.  Following their marriage, Richard enlisted with the United States Air Force.  He served for six years and was stationed primarily at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base near Kansas City.

Following his military service, Richard returned to Ft. Scott.  He worked in the printing department of the Western Insurance Company which later became American States Insurance Company.  He also did printing work for Lincoln National Insurance Company and Sekan Printing.

During this time, Richard obtained his minister’s license from the Nazarene Church.  He was a long-time member of the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene.  After his retirement, he served as pastor of the Nazarene Church in Humboldt, Kansas for nearly ten years.

Richard was a man of many talents.  He enjoyed drawing and painting and was an accomplished cartoon artist.  He published a book of his cartoon series, The Lil’ Wrangler.  These cartoons were featured in a variety of periodicals including the Western Horseman.

Richard also worked as a sign painter.  He designed and painted numerous area signs including the Ruddick’s warehouse on the 69 Bypass in Ft. Scott and the Chicken Mary’s sign near Pittsburg.

Some of his favorite times were spent on the water.  He enjoyed deep sea fishing and going out on his sailboat.  He was fortunate enough to take a father and son cruise onboard the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy while his son, Nathan, was serving with the United States Navy.

Following the death of his first wife, Phyllis, on June 13, 2012, Richard married Linda June Hurd on April 6, 2013.  Richard and Linda enjoyed five years of married life until her death on May 30, 2018.  Richard left behind a legacy of faith and love and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

 

Survivors include his three daughters, Belinda Yockey (Don) of Joplin, Missouri, Christine Bosley (Gary) of Ft. Scott and Carol Johnson (Michael) of Lawrence, Kansas.  Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wives, Richard was also preceded in death by his son, Nathan Riley; two brothers, Ronnie and Paul Riley and a sister, Mary Ann Brenner.

 

Rev. Virgil Peck will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Friday, March 22nd at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene Mission Department and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

Live Jazz Performance at Gordon Parks Museum on March 21

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Gordon Parks Museum…

Live Jazz Performance!

Join the Gordon Parks Museum for a night of character and story of Gordon Parks expressed through LIVE Jazz Performance!

The Honorary Gordon Parks Quintet Featuring:

Nate McClendon – Saxophone

Paul Hunt – Trombone

Desmond Mason – Piano

Nsiko Dieu-aime – Bass

Robert Rodriguez – Drums

Free and Open to the Public

Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center

7:30pm

For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620.223.2700 ext. 5857

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Facebook Share This Email
Twitter Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

The Beauty Lounge Girls Birthday Bash is March 23

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member The Beauty Lounge Girls…

Birthday Bash FUN!

Join us and all of our amazing vendors/small businesses while we celebrate our two year anniversary and our esthetician/owner, Tuker, turning 25!

*Express Dermaplane or Hydra Facial

*IV Infusion Bar

*Blow Outs

*Hair Tinsels

*Huge Basket Giveaways

*Discount Galore

*Permanent Jewelry

*Designer Boutique

*Cocktails

*Good Company

*and SO MUCH MORE!

Saturday March 23rd, 2024

2 S. Main Street

10am-2pm

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Facebook Share This Email
Twitter Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

Caryn Tyson

 

March 15, 2024

 

Tax Relief passed the Senate and was sent to the House.  All of the bills can be found at www.kslegislature.org.  Here are some highlights.

 

Tax Relief for All Kansans: Property, Sales, and Income tax cuts passed in SB 539 with a bi-partisan vote of 29 to 11.  I voted Yes.  The bill would cut taxes for every Kansas taxpayer.  It will:

  • eliminate state income tax on Social Security (SS)
  • provide property tax relief to homeowners by increasing the K-12 20 mill exemption to $100,000, up from $44,000
  • eliminate the state sales tax on groceries July 1, instead of Jan 1, 2025
  • increase personal exemptions for single filers to $11,000 and $22,000 for married joint filers and increase for inflation each year after – current single exemption is $2250 and $4500 for married
  • increase single filer standard deduction to $4000 and increase all standard deductions (married is currently $8000) for inflation each year after
  • increase dependent exemptions to $3000 up from $2250 and increase each year after for inflation
  • create a single tax bracket at 5.7 that would decrease each year .05 for 5 years
  • decrease the privilege tax to 1.63 for banks and 1.62 for trust companies over two years
  • create a child tax credit program based on household income

Personal Property Taxes would be eliminated on off-road vehicles (including all-terrain vehicle – ATVs), watercraft, golfcarts, motorized bicycles, snowmobiles, and trailers with a gross weight of 15,000 lbs. or less.  The KS County Appraisers Association asked me to help eliminate the taxes because it cost more to collect the tax than what is collected.  The County Treasurers and Clerks I checked with agreed.  Also, constituents had contacted me asking me to help because the taxes on these items are high and the penalties are steep.  SB 484 is a win for the taxpayer and the tax collector.  It passed 29 to 11.

 

Property Tax Freeze for Seniors and Disabled Veterans would be expanded in HB 2465 by subtracting SS from the household income, increasing the household income limit to $80,000, and increasing the home valuation to $595,000.  Currently, only 50% of SS can be subtracted from the household income and it must be below $53,600 with a home valuation of $350,000 or less.  HB 2465 would also open up the filing deadline because most people didn’t know about the program.  (They must not be reading my newsletters )  The filing deadline for the property tax freeze is April 15 each year.  The form is K-40SVR at Kansas Department of Revenue https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr23.pdf.  I worked diligently with other Senators and House Tax Conference Committee members to pass this into law and we are working to expand the program so more people qualify.

 

Sales Tax Exemption For Disabled Veterans would be a new program for veterans.  Any 50% or more disabled veteran would not pay state or local sales tax on personal purchases, excluding vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products.  It would have a limit of $24,000 in purchases.  KDOR reported that most Kansas families spend about that amount on items that have a sales tax.  The original bill was SB 58.   The committee voted to create Senate Substitute for HB 2036.

 

HB 2036, a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, created constitutional questions as stated by lawyers and others.  Instead of risking losing the legislation because of questions on constitutionality, it made more sense to expand the existing program that freezes property taxes for seniors and disabled veterans and implement the sales tax program.  It will help more disabled veterans, because not all own a home.  The state has avoided the question of constitutionality with the property tax freeze program by having all of the property taxes paid and homeowner apply for a rebate.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Beauty Secrets For Aging by Carolyn Tucker

My friend Vivian and I were visiting recently about the topic of aging. Some women  look 15 years older than they are, but some look 15 years younger than their age. Vivian and I shared our thoughts about what we will look like in heaven. We both agreed that we’ll look about 30, which is the prime of life. When I was 30, I felt like I had a tiger by the tail. I could efficiently multi-task, do things quickly, walk and chew gum, and rarely felt dumb. I had lots of energy and laughed a lot. Now that I’m older, some physical things have changed but I’m thankful I can still laugh easily.

 

When believers are in the last third of our lives, we can still continue to be living testimonies to the faithfulness of God. There are two New Testament Christians that are marvelous examples of how to age fruitfully. The stellar lives of Simeon and Anna inspire me to keep serving God and loving people as long as I have breath.

 

Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to Jerusalem to dedicate him to the Lord. As they walked into the temple, Simeon (an elderly man) was there waiting. He loved God, was righteous and devout, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Messiah with his own eyes. For this very reason the Holy Spirit had impressed upon Simeon to go to the temple on this precise day and hour when Jesus’ parents brought Him to the temple.

 

Simeon nestled the Babe in his arms and praised God saying, “Lord and Master, I am Your loving servant, and now I can die content for Your promise to me has been fulfilled. With my own eyes I have seen Your Word, the Savior You sent into the world. He will be glory for Your people Israel, and the Revelation Light for all people everywhere“ (Luke 2:29-31 TPT.) Simeon was at the right place at the right time because He listened to God.

 

Anna was an 84-year-old prophetess from the Tribe of Asher. She’d been married only seven years when her husband died. After that, she worshipped God in the temple continually, serving Him with night-and-day prayer and fasting. “She [Anna] came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38 NLT.) When Anna laid her eyes on Jesus, she experienced the very presence of God. Although she had known sorrow, she was full of joy. Although she was no longer in the prime of her life, she had maintained contentment and hope.  Although she had some limitations, she never stopped worshipping God and using her prophetic gift. Although she had experienced disappointments, she never stopped believing and praying. Although she was no longer youthful, she remained useful.

 

When I’m around an older woman with a laughing smile and twinkling eyes, that’s all I see. I’m truly blind to any of her aging facial features. Her beautiful smile is a better cover-up than anti-wrinkle cream. Several years ago, my cousin Vicky and I were talking about getting older. She said that she planned to simply grow old gracefully. I loved her plan and I embraced her sensible philosophy as my own. I want to grow old lovingly. I want to be sweet and not cynical. I want to enjoy life, laugh at myself, and remain useful for God.

 

The Key:  Let’s be content to have a loving heart and use “Big Grin Beauty Cream.”

Aging with Attitude Regional Expo Set for April 26th

 

It’s taking place every day, for everyone….aging that is, and it is an opportunity!  Let’s come together to learn and ensure we can all thrive as we age, on Friday, April 26th, for the Aging with Attitude Regional Expo.

 

The expo aims to promote positive attitudes about aging and educate on issues that support physical, mental, and financial health.  K-State Research and Extension along with community partners invite you to connect with others for information and resources on April 26th. The event includes presentations, activities, prizes, a resource fair, and lunch from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. at Foursquare Church, 98 Main Street, Parsons, KS.  Registration fee is $15 per attendee.  Register with flyer registration form or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

Keynote Presentations include:

Container Gardening

Hear from horticulture expert on creating your own garden.

 

Medicare Q&A

Senior Health Insurance Counselor and Coordinator will answer top Medicare questions and hear your specific needs.

 

Make the most of your life by attending this year’s regional expo!  For more information you may contact [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

# # #

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

 

Teaching Kids About Money Management

Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent    

March 2024

 

The Southwind Extension District just finished hosting our first Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in Allen County with the partnership with Humboldt High School, Allen County E-Communities and NetWork Kansas. A part of this event is students learning the importance of developing a business plan, learning how to make a profit off of their business and product as well as marketing their product to be successful. After completing this event, the participants were awarded cash prizes for their work and efforts and it got me thinking, I wonder how many of these youth will continue the entrepreneurship path in life and what money management skills have they developed through this project?

Money Management must be learned and practiced in everyday home and family life to prepare children for real life situations. Think of how day-to-day activities and errands that you are already completing in your already busy life, to incorporate “lessons” on money management skills for youth.  Making or earning money for a job is the way most adults get money to spend, but think about what youth need to know to be successful in their money management. The following are examples of ways to incorporate learning into daily life lessons.

Things a 5 year old should know:

  1. A dime is worth more than a nickel even though it is smaller. Also that coins can be exchanged for “fun” things.
  2. Toys that are seen on the cereal box or on TV won’t always be flashy and look or work as well at home as they are advertised.
  3. Saving money can be fun when they know they can use it to buy something later.
  4. Asking for something they want, doesn’t mean they will always get what they want.

Things a 10 year old should know is obviously different from a younger and older Siblings. Below are examples of those teaching lessons.

  1. They should be able to navigate a grocery store with a cart and list to help shop for a budget friendly grocery trip.
  2. They should have a savings account in a real bank. They should learn that although you can withdrawal from that account, it won’t be the same cash and coins that they put in.

A 16 year old is often the age looking to be hired by local business and able to work outside of the family and friends circle to gain a paycheck. A few things they should know when coming to earning money:

  1. They should have a reasonable idea of the family finances.
  2. They should know how to write a check and balance a checking account.
  3. They should save half of everything they hear from a job for any major high school expenses such as a class ring or trip.

Adults may work 40 hours or sometimes more each week to bring home a paycheck to live on. Youth should be able to  find small jobs from their parents or neighbors to earn money for those burning “needs” and “wants”. Those jobs can take as little as 10 minutes for as much as hours to complete. Paid jobs at home are usually things beyond those a child is expected to do as part of the family. Make sure to be on the look out for a job that neighbors, grandparents, friends are willing to pay for. Think of other ways your child can earn money from their hobbies, for example, sell jewelry, show adults how to use a computer application or setting up a new cellphone.

For more information please contact Amanda Clasen, Community Vitality Agent, at [email protected] or at any Southwind Extension office.

The Artificers April Calendar

The Artificers In April!

Check out the calendar below for all events happening this month!

Art Opening and Reception!

April 5th, 2024 @ 6pm, Artist Talk @ 7pm

Mary Martin

Mary is best known for her mixed media collages with organic deckled edges that incorporate painted tissue papers, sheet music and hand written scriptures. Her work is influence by her love of nature and nearly 40 years of being a church choir singer and cantor, which has imprinted the words of the Psalms on her heart and mind. The words of scripture and sacred music are so deeply rooted in her being that they naturally express themselves in her art. Working with themes of peace and joy expressed through scenes in nature, Martin begins each work of art by choosing a scripture that matches the theme of the collage. She incorporates the scripture into the artwork by writing it on the base layer of paper, and by mixing scripture blessed water into her paints. She layers sheet music with lyrics about peace or joy under painted tissue papers, creating tranquil landscapes, seascapes and floral images. Her intent is to create a space with the art where viewers can experience a moment of peace and joy within themselves.

Learn More

Marys Master Artist Classes!

The Joy of Gel Printing with Botanicals

Gel Printing is a printmaking process that uses a gel plate to transfer paint or ink to

paper instead of a printing press. Learn how to create stunningly beautiful botanical prints using a gel. Master Artist Mary Martin will guide students through this amazing and playful process!!

Adult age 14+ • April 6th •10am-12pm &1-3pm

Find Out More Here!

April Classes

Come into the studio from 12pm-4pm April 27th, and Glaze all of your pre-made pieces!

Click Here to Join in the Fun!

Don’t Forget us For your Parties!

Call Here to Set Up a Time!

Florida Strawberries Are Coming To Bronson

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Perry’s Pork Rinds & Country Store…

Strawberries!

Perry Pork Rinds is partnering with Hill Top Farmz to bring you the PERFECT treat! These strawberries are picked at the perfect time placed in an open flat, immediately put into a refrigerator truck and brought to their store directly from Florida!

Reserve your flat just in time for Easter!

Each flat is $25 and approximately 12lbs each.

Click here to fill out the form and to reserve your spot. They accept payment upon pick up.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Facebook Share This Email
Twitter Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Bourbon County Commission Will Not Meet on March 18

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

 

 

There will not be a Commission meeting held on Monday, March 18.