Category Archives: Area News

Area News, K-State Extension

Waterlogged Kansas may be in for even more rain, flooding

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Christopher Petty

K-State weather specialists say wet pattern will persist

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Rainfall patterns that turned lawns and farm fields into unintended ponds and swelled rivers to capacity and beyond are likely to continue into June, according to weather specialists at Kansas State University.

“The persistent pattern has consisted of back and forth movement of a stationary front across the central Plains. This front is separating cold with below-normal temperatures to the north and west and above-normal temperatures to the south and east,” said Chip Redmond, manager of Kansas Mesonet, a system of weather stations across the state that detect and record weather data. “Where the front sets up daily will be the focus for the heaviest flooding rains.”

Because of already saturated soils, Redmond and his colleague, assistant climatologist Mary Knapp, do not expect flooding issues to end in Kansas anytime soon.

“It is almost a guarantee that water control issues will continue into June, if not worsen,” Redmond said. Areas in the central and eastern part of the state have been hit particularly hard.

Springtime temperatures have also been below normal, said Knapp, who added that it’s a trend likely to continue. That will also be a factor in how quickly the soil can dry out.

Beyond June, Knapp and Redmond expect temperatures to warm seasonably but noted that soil surface moisture may increase evaporation/transpiration rates, injecting moisture into the atmosphere. That in turn may result in above average shower and thunderstorm activity.

With ponds and lakes already near or at capacity in some areas, even without more moisture, it is likely to take months before flows return to normal, Knapp said.

“Every rainfall we get in the process will push back that return, possibly substantially,” she said.

More information is available on the Kansas Mesonet website, Office of the State Climatologist website, and in the latest K-State Agronomy eUpdate weekly newsletter.

Area News, Government, Kansas

Wichita Work Release Facility Escapee

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On May 26, 2019 at 3:49 a.m. George Young #105961 was declared an escape from the Wichita Work Release Facility. Young has been at Wichita Work Release since March 13, 2019. The facility houses 250 minimum-custody male offenders.

Young is a black male, 6’0, 200 lbs. with black hair. He is 51 years old and was currently serving time at Wichita Work Release Facility as a Parole Violator with a new sentence from Sedgwick County, Kansas. Young’s most recent criminal conviction was in 2018 for Theft.

 

Anyone with information on George Young can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 620-221-6660 ext: 56218, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-572-7463, or local law enforcement (911).

 

 

Area News, Fort Scott

American Legion Post 25 Awards

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At the recently concluded Department of Kansas Convention this last weekend, Post 25 received five awards. 
Submitted by Carl Jowers
Post 25 received the Kenneth L Young Membership Award for having the highest membership percentage in the Department of Kansas  by February 1, 2019. Our percentage at that date was 131.37. We currently stand at 157% as of last Friday.
Another award that Post 25 received was the Team 100 Post Excellence Award. Only two Kansas Posts received this award signed by National Legion Commander Brett Reistad. This award is for Posts that have taken the time to conduct programs in their local community that displays their “Devotion to Mutual Helpfulness.” This is the second year in a row that Thompson-Harkey Post 25 has received this award.
I received the Post Commander of the Year Award as Post 25 had the highest membership percentage in the state plus, thanks to Adjutant Ken Lyon, all required paperwork was submitted to Department by the due date.
We also received the 100% Post Reporting Award for submitting all required reports by the due date. This award was made possible by Adjutant Ken Lyon diligently staying on top of required reports and their due dates.
Another award was in recognition for the chartering of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 25. 
 
When I came up to the dais to accept the Membership Award, the Department Commander stated to the members in attendance that just a few years ago Fort Scott had been written off as a Post on the verge of extinction, but has made a tremendous comeback. All Post 25 members should  know that had it not been for Ken Lyon, Post 25 would have turned in its charter a few years back. Ken found a member, Arnold Schofield, to step up as Post Commander and keep the Post alive until a new generation of Legionnaires could be recruited to revitalize Post 25.  The torch has been passed. It is now up to us to continue making Post 25 a viable community asset through programs for Veterans and children and youth.
Additional Convention Notes:
 
The new Department Commander is Chuck Shoemaker, Shawnee Post
The new Department Vice Commander is Marri Krupco, Blue Mound Post.
The new 2nd District Vice Commander is Myra Jowers of our own Fort Scott Post.
Area News, Government, Kansas

Larned Suspends Visitation at Correctional Facility Because of Increased Drugs

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Visitation Cancelled at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

 

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility has been experiencing an increase in the presence of contraband drugs in the facility.  This has resulted in one offender death and several offenders being hospitalized as a result of drug use.  Contraband interdiction efforts have been increased.  As a result, all visitation with offenders has been suspended this weekend, May 18 – 19, 2019.

 

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Government

Update on 69 Hwy. Expansion

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Kansas Department of Transportation work on 69 Hwy. as seen from Eagle Road earlier in the expansion project.

The U.S.Hwy 69 expansion in Bourbon County is nearing completion.

“The four lanes should be completed within the next two to three weeks,”  Priscilla Peterson, Public Affairs Manager, Southeast Kansas Department of Transportation said. “Although both north- and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane to allow the contractor to finish work on the median and shoulders.”

It is projected that the four-lane section will be open to unrestricted traffic by mid to late June, she said.

“A ribbon cutting is in the works for late June, although we don’t yet have an exact date,” Peterson said.

Area News

American Legion Post 25 Update

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Post 25 Update

May 14. Tuesday. 7 pm. Baseball meeting of all interested students, parents and Legion members. Five more players are needed to form the Fort Scott Post 25 American Legion Baseball team. Players must be between 15 and 19 and live in Fort Scott.

May 26. Sunday. 2:30 pm. Dedication of the U.S. Navy Memorial at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

May 27. Monday. 9:30 am. Memorial Day prayer at the Courthouse steps in Honor of all American War Veterans.

May 27. Monday. 10:30 am. Memorial Day services at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

May 31. Friday. 6 pm. Good Old Days Parade. All Post members and their families are invited to walk or ride as part of the Legion family.

June 9. Sunday. Aspen Dental is offering free dental services to veterans from fillings, extractions, to even denture repair. Veterans can call 844-277-3646 now to locate the nearest Aspen Dental office and make an appointment for free dental services.

 

VA Shuttle Service

 

The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.

Mondays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center. Stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa.

Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center. Stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa.

Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center. Stops in Pleasanton and Louisburg.

Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle.

The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.

Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process. Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.

The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.

The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.

Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. However, those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them must have a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.

To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must

·         Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.

·         Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Scuttlebutt

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Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 continues to lead the Department of Kansas in membership at 151% with 77 members.

 

Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May 15. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you.

 

Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.

 

Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the May 9 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain. Post 25 Color Guard members presented colors at the Fort Scott Community Prayer Breakfast on May 1. See attached photos.

 

Four local Veterans donated blood at the recent visit by the Red Cross to Fort Scott. The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942 to promote blood donations by American Legion family members. Thanks to those who donated.

 

Two students were recommended by Post 25 to attend this year’s Boys/Girls State. Macayla Jo McClure will be attending Girls State. Luke George will be attending Boys State. It is exciting to see young people step up and attend these Legion sponsored programs. Their photos are attached.

 

Wyatt Williams of Nevada will be attending the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy this summer. Wyatt in an 11th grader who participates in the Nevada Police Department’s internal student cadet program. His photo is attached. Wyatt’s mother learned about the Kansas Cadet Law Enforcement Academy through a Fort Scott friend who overheard a Post member discussing Legion programs.

 

The Cadet Law Enforcement Chair indicated that Kansas residency wasn’t a requirement to participate in this program. Wyatt was asked to submit his application for the program and was highly highly recommended by the Nevada Police Department.  Wyatt’s photo is attached.

 

Members and friends of Post 25 greeted the Warrior Convoy that passed through downtown Fort Scott on Wednesday, May 1. In addition to showing support for combat wounded Veterans, we recruited a new member. Photos are attached.

 

Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/.  Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.

 

VA MISSION Act: What is the latest on community care?  Find out more at this web address: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/23d694a

 

 

 Volunteers Needed

 

Ralph Carlson is seeking volunteers to help with minor home repairs for low income area residents. Volunteers with carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills. All projects are short term and can be accomplished based upon the volunteer’s availability. Some of Ralph’s most recent projects were wheelchair ramps for two disabled Veterans and repairing a kitchen floor for a senior citizen. Call Ralph at 620-644-8162 to volunteer or more for information about his program.

 

The Fort Scott Cancer Treatment Center relocated to Chanute. Drivers are needed to take Fort Scott patients to Chanute for chemotherapy. Drivers will use their own vehicle and there is a small stipend for gas, if requested. A driver will take the chemo patient to their appointment in Chanute and wait for treatment to be completed and then bring the patient back to Fort Scott. The driver may have only a half hour wait for the patient or two – three hours. Call Donna Bauer at 620-224-7075 for more information or to volunteer.

 

You do not have to be a Veteran to step up for one of the volunteer opportunities. Just someone who will step up and offer a helping hand to our neighbors.

 

 

 Upcoming Events

 

 

May 4. Post Commander Carl Jowers will be at the Fort Scott Walmart from 9 am – 12 pm. This is our American Legion community awareness program. I’ll have membership applications for the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons. Bring eligible members by our table and I can sign them up on the spot. If you recruit a new Legionnaire, they and you will be entered into a drawing for $500 each. Even of you don’t have any potential members, feel free just to stop by.

 

May 6. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

May 6. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.

 

May 9. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 6 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.

 

May 9. American Legion Baseball Information Session for players ages 15 to 19 Fort Scott Memorial Hall (Corner of National Ave. and 3rd Street) at 7 pm. Players must be a student or recent graduate of Fort Scott High School. We need at least 5 more players to have a Legion Baseball team this year.

 

Email Post 25 Baseball Chair Earl Adams at [email protected] with any questions about Legion Baseball.

May 17-19. Department of Kansas American Legion Convention. Hutchinson, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Post 25 can have four delegates at the Convention. Post 25 is authorized four voting delegates. Two more delegates are needed. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers if you would like to attend and represent Post 25.

May 23. There will be a meet and greet for females interested in joining American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 at 6 pm in Memorial Hall. At the initial meeting on May 2, there were enough females in attendance to charter the Unit. The official chartering date will be in July to coincide with the new Legion year, which begins July 1.

 

Any female who has an ancestor who served in the United States military is probably eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Additionally, female family members of Veterans and active duty military may also be eligible for the American Legion Auxiliary. Eligibility to join the Auxiliary may be confusing, however email [email protected] for more details on determining your eligibility to join.

May 31 – June 2. American Legion Leadership College at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Ks. Any paid 2019 Legionnaire can attend. Contact Post Commander Carl Jowers for more information on attending.

June 3. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

June 3. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

 

VA Shuttle MAY Schedule

 

Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

 

The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.

 

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]
Area News, Fort Scott

Fort Scott VA Shuttle Service

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The Fort Scott VA Shuttle service provides transportation service to Topeka and Kansas City VA Hospital for Veterans in the Southeast Kansas area as follows:

Mondays and Tuesdays: Fort Scott to Topeka VA Medical Center.

Wednesdays: Fort Scott to Kansas City VA Medical Center.

The shuttle service is free to any Veteran who needs transportation to the VA for their medical appointments.

Veterans must have an appointment scheduled between 9 am and 1 pm on the day they ride the shuttle. Veterans who have “walk-in” appointments can also schedule a shuttle ride.

The shuttle will depart from the Fort Scott’s Pete’s 66 service station on Main Street and will return to Fort Scott after the last Veteran has completed their appointment. The departure time is based upon the time of first appointment of the day at the VA Medical Center day. Riders will be notified of the shuttle departure time the evening before their ride.

Veterans living along Highway 69 or near Louisburg and Ottawa can also schedule a ride to the VA by following the below process.

Veterans scheduling rides must be at one of our predetermined stops to ride the shuttle. This is a shuttle service, not a taxi service.

The VA shuttle holds five passengers and riders must preregister for a seat. Seats on the shuttle are open to any area Veteran on a first come, first served basis.

The shuttle does not accommodate wheelchairs or pets. Only certified service dogs are permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on the shuttle. Oxygen concentrators are allowed.

Family members may not ride with the Veteran on the shuttle. However, those Veterans who need a caregiver to accompany them can provide a signed note from their doctor attesting that the Veteran requires a caregiver to accompany them to and from their appointment.

To register for a shuttle seat, the Veteran must

  • Have an appointment at a VA Medical Center between 9 am and 1 pm for the day they schedule their shuttle seat.
  • Call 785-925-0261 or email [email protected] to schedule their seat. All seat reservations must be scheduled by 5 pm, the day prior to their appointment.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions you might have.

Carl Jowers, Fort Scott Shuttle Coordinator.

 

Area News

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 Rechartering This Evening May 2

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American Legion Auxiliary Unit 25 is rechartering the Fort Scott Unit at 7 pm, May 2, 2019. This milestone event will take place in Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.

 

The American Legion Auxiliary adheres to the following purposes: To support and advocate for veterans, active military and their families;To support the initiatives and programs of The American Legion; To foster patriotism and responsible citizenship; To award scholarships and promote quality education and literacy; To provide educational and leadership opportunities that uphold the ideals of freedom and democracy and encourage good citizenship and patriotism in government;To increase our capacity to deliver our Mission by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities within our communities; and To empower our membership to achieve personal fulfillment through Service Not Self.

 

Eligibility about who can join the American Legion Auxiliary can be confusing, but review the below information to determine your  Auxiliary eligibility.

 

Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, stepdaughters, granddaughters and spouses/widows of Veterans are eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary. There are a few exceptions, but if your Veteran died on active service or died after completing active service, you can join the American Legion Auxiliary.

 

In addition to the above list of females eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary, wives of current Legion members are also eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary.

 

If you are not sure about your eligibility to join the Auxiliary, come to the meeting on Thursday night and let’s review your status. 

If you are not able to attend the meeting, but would like to join the Auxiliary, just contact Myra Jowers at [email protected] or call her at 620-215-1286  and she will arrange to meet you to complete the membership application.

Area News, Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown Spruces Up

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Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

Spring cleaning is the time to clean up your yards, attics, garage and closets.

Next weekend, a small town in the area will be renting huge trash hauling bins to helps its citizens to do just that.

Uniontown City Council helps provide the town’s citizens a way to get rid of unwanted, unsightly items.

The city council rents huge trash hauling bins twice a year,  once before Uniontown High School graduation in May and again before Old Settlers Picnic weekend, in August, this year May 3-5 and August 23-25.

The bins are located on city property near the corner of First and Clay Streets.

The city property where the trash bins will be located for the clean up day.

“This assists our residents with the clean up of their property and to keep our town clean and appealing to visitors,” Sally Johnson, Uniontown City Clerk, said.

Absolutely no tires, batteries, or freon are allowed in the city’s trash hauling bins.

The city will recycle metal.

“There will be an area to the side (of the bins) for metal objects that are then taken for recycling,” Johnson said.

 

The town-wide clean up is for Uniontown residents only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News