Category Archives: Area News

Girard National Bank now named GNBank

GROWING BANK UNIFIES BRANCHES UNDER NEW BRAND

 

Girard National Bank is pleased to announce that it will change its name and all branch location names to GNBank on July 2, 2018. Previously, branch locations operated under individual trade names. There are no ownership or bank structure changes occurring other than the change in the bank’s name. 

Use of a single brand will allow GNBank to serve its customers better through a common name at all of its banking facilities. The name change will simplify a customer’s ability to conduct transactions at any GNBank location, without any disruption to customers’ banking services.

In today’s world of online, mobile, telephone and debit card banking channels and services, we felt it was important to have a high-quality, recognizable and consistent brand for our customers,” said Mark Schifferdecker, President & CEO. “When our customers see the GNBank name or logo, they can expect the same great service and friendly faces wherever they are.”

GNBank’s name change coincides with its celebration of 100 years of business. The family-owned and operated bank was established in 1918 in Girard, Kansas, and began expanding in 1986 with branch facilities in other communities vested in agriculture and small businesses.

GNBank is a full-service community bank in 14 communities, with expertise in agricultural, commercial, small business, residential real estate and consumer services. In Kansas, offices are in Arma, Bucklin, Clay Center, Galena, Girard, Hiawatha, Holton, Horton, Offerle, Pittsburg, Wetmore and Yates Center. In Southeastern Colorado, offices are in Eads and Lamar.

GNBank is known for being ethical, adaptable, customer-centered and invested in its communities. It will continue its promise to be “The Best Place to Bank Borrow.”

More information can be found at gn-bank.com.

Eureka Tornado Damage Update, Corrected

EUREKA EMERGENCY RESPONSE UPDATE

CORRECTION:  The Greenwood County Emergency Manager indicated that 100-200 volunteers are still needed but bottled water is not needed at this time.  Volunteers should be able to handle the extreme heat.  They also need to come equipped with gloves, eye protection, work boots and long pants. 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has employees on site working with residents to obtain critical documentation (birth and marriage certificates) and the fees are being waived.  CORRECTION:  The employees plan on being there through Saturday.

 

The State Emergency Operations Center continues to coordinate recovery operations in Eureka.  Door-to-door welfare checks are being conducted in the areas still without power.

There will be a Town Hall meeting held Friday, June 29 at 7 p.m. at the Matt Samuels Building.

The Greenwood County Emergency Manager indicated that they no longer are in need of bottled water or volunteers to help with debris clean up.  If that should change, we will put out a request for those items.

The Kansas Corporation Commission is reporting 1,400 customers still without power and they are actively working to restore power to all customers.  Westar reports that in storms, sometimes the hardware that houses the electric meter and the wires that feed electricity into a home or business can become detached. This is the square metal box and connecting pole on the side of the house or building. If the hardware is damaged, Westar cannot reconnect the service line between the house and the power grid because it’s not safe. The homeowner is responsible for hiring an electrician to make these repairs before power can be restored to the residence.

The American Red Cross shelter remains open at the Methodist Church, 521 N. Main Street, and housed seven residents overnight.  The shelter is serving as a cooling station for residents and volunteers during the day.  The American Red Cross is providing two mobile feeding routes along with hydration.

Century Link is providing the food for feeding stations located at 100 Jefferson.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has employees on site working with residents to obtain critical documentation (birth and marriage certificates) and the fees are being waived.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has deployed the following assets to Eureka:

–          Five message boards

–           10 dump trucks

–          30 barricades

–          Skid Steer

–          Wheel loader

–          Excavator

–          Four flag personnel to assist with directing traffic

The Kansas Department of Revenue put out information that residents affected by the tornado can get free replacement car titles, registration receipts, and drivers licenses if those documents were lost or damaged in the storm.  Applications for replacement titles and replacement registration receipts can be made at the Greenwood County Treasurer’s office, 311 N. Main Street Suite 4, Eureka.

Verizon Wireless has deployed two COLTs (Cell On Light Trucks) and operators and the COLTs will be operational sometime during the day on Thursday, June 28.

The following assets deployed by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management remain on site:

–       GIS Response Vehicle

–       Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Support Team

–       Incident Management Team

–       KDEM Response Liaison and Regional Coordinator to support incident command and county emergency management

–       Communications on Wheels (will be in place until Monday, July 2)

–       Resource Accountability Tracking Team

–       Public Assistance Support for damage assessment and debris management

–       Telecommunications Emergency Response Team

Recovery operations continue in Eureka during the day and will cease from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. to ensure the safety of those working in the area.  Security will remain on-site overnight.

The SEOC will scale back activation overnight to a staff duty officer and will resume full activation at 7 a.m.

Shead’s High Tunnel Hoop House In Place and Producing

Vickie Shead stands in front of her new high tunnel hoop house on the family farm, named by the family “The Garden of Eden”.

Following a lifelong dream to experiment with gardening in a controlled environment, Vickie Shead, rural Garland, applied for and received funding to build what is called a high tunnel or hoop house on the family farm.

Vickie Shead shows the growth of a cucumber vine in her hoop house, one of 22 varities of vegetables grown in the controlled environment.

Since getting it up and going this year, there has been a learning curve in gardening.

“I thought I knew about gardening,’ she said. “But I have learned a lot.”

“We realize that this year is a huge learning curve as we have everything to learn about this new way of growing quality, organic produce.  We are very thankful for the grant helping us get started in this adventure in gardening,” Vickie said.

The inside view of the Shead hoop house.

The addition of mesh siding to keep out pests has cut back on much of the insects that normally feed on garden produce, but she has help to work on the insects that do manage to get in.

Her grandchildren.

They help by handpicking insects and insect eggs and also weeding in the high tunnel garden bed.

She also uses low-technology help such as sticky yellow pads, much like flycatchers of old, to aid in getting rid of insects.

One of the ways Vickie Shead helps reduce the insects in the hoop house is with this large sticky yellow flycatcher. One can see it is successful by the number of insects on it. Her grandchildren also help my handpicking insects and their eggs off the produce.

And additionally, they added insect cloth on the sides of the hoop house to lessen insect invasion.

“I needed a controlled environment from the weather and insects,” she said.

The Sheads use no chemicals on their gardens.

The following is an interview with Vickie Shead.

What is a high tunnel growing system?  Where did you get the grant from?
 
“High Tunnel System Initiative, commonly called a ‘hoop house,’ is an increasingly popular conservation practice for farmers, and is available with financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and can be applied for through the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service).”
 
“The seasonal high tunnel system for crops does not include greenhouses or low tunnel systems covering single crop rows.”
What is the grant for?

“The goal is to assist producers to extend the growing season for high-value crops in an environmentally safe manner.”


“NRCS hopes to encourage growers with high tunnels which can aid in improving plant quality, soil quality, reduce nutrient and pesticide transport, improve air quality through reduced transportation inputs, and reduce energy use through local consumption.  It is to be used on cropland where climatic conditions due to heat, cold, severe weather may interfere with the producing of vegetables, fruits, and other consumable crops.”
 
“The grant allows the producer to choose the company, the size, the style, and method of installation for their high tunnel kit.”
 How much was the grant for?
 
“When we applied, we received a grant for $6,732 for our high tunnel system.  
However, in order to adhere to the Shead-Spread Farm’s organic standards and future plans, we added to the grant with our own money so that we could comply to organic certification we wish to obtain in the near future.  The additions included: metal framework instead of treated lumber, roll down sides and fans to increase ventiation, end walls with big doors, and shade cloth for temperature control and insect cloth (50% shade cloth) to lessen insect invasion.  These additions have proven to make a wonderful growing environment that we fondly call ‘The Garden of Eden’.”
 
 
When did you get it?   When did you get it up?
“The grant was received in the fall of 2016. The 60  x 30 feet Gothic Style High Tunnel wasn’t erected until July of 2017, so this is the Shead’s first growing season. We classify this as the learning season!

It is an on-going project far from finished.  

We have yet to add permanent plumbing, electrical wiring, and rainwater irrigation system, all of which are awaiting financial resources.”
 Why did you seek the grant?
“For many years, the Shead-Spread Farm has provided fresh, organic, nutrient-packed produce from our gardens and orchards.These fruits and vegetables have fed four families (their children and grandchildren) and are used either fresh, canned, frozen, or dried.  We hope to expand the growing season of our organic crops in order to sell our quality fruits and vegetables, along with our dried and powdered products through the local Fort Scott Farmer’s Market, at the farm, and through the internet. “
The Shead’s call their farm The Shead Spread.
“However, we found that because Kansas abounds in insects, growing organic vegetables and fruits is tedious and time-consuming and next to impossible.  We needed a more controlled environment for improving plant quality and climatic conditions.”
 
“The NRCS High Tunnel Initiative was just what we needed because it helps producers raise crops in a more controlled environment, which reduces insects, protects the plants from wind and storm damage, and lengthens the growing season. “
 
Who is involved in your work in the high tunnel?
” I am the instigator of the project with my husband, Larry, as the main support and muscles.  However, other family members also help, including many of our 17 grandchildren, who are often by my side as I work.”
The Larry and Vickie Shead farm, Garland.

 

Railroad crossing repairs Saturday on K-39

Saturday, June 23, the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad will close and repair its crossing on K-39 east of U.S. 59 in the Stark vicinity.

UP plans to close the crossing to through traffic at 7 a.m. The repairs are expected to be completed and the crossing reopened by 7 p.m. Saturday.

The signed detour for K-39 eastbound traffic is as follows: from the west U.S. 59/K-39 junction travel south on U.S. 59 to K-146, proceed east on K-146 to K-3, and travel north on K-3 to K-39.

Persons with questions may contact Wayne Nelson at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) office in Pittsburg, (620) 308-7622, or Priscilla Petersen at the Chanute KDOT office, (620) 902-6433.

 

 

Degree Without Debt Offered to Walmart Employees

Walmart Fort Scott, 2500 S. Main.

In May, Walmart announced a new associate education benefit program designed to help employees to enroll in college and graduate from college in certain fields of study, according to a press release.

Benefits include free college credit for Walmart Academy training and options for employees to earn a college degree without student loan debt.

Walmart employees will be able to access affordable associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in business or supply chain management.

These programs are available to full-time, part-time and salaried Walmart U.S. store, supply chain, home office and Sam’s Club employees.

Degrees will be offered through the University of Florida at Gainesville; Brandman University, Irvine, California; and Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska. These schools were selected for their focus and strong outcomes on serving working adult learners, according to the press release.

Program highlights include:

AFFORDABLE
The associate contribution toward a college degree would be just $1 a day. Walmart will subsidize the cost of tuition, books, and fees, which helps get rid of student loan debt, according to a press release.

 

Also, associates can start their path by earning college credit for paid training at Walmart Academies. Hundreds of thousands of associates have already undergone skills training equivalent to more than $210 million in college credits. This will save associates both time and money in completing their degree.

RELEVANT
Walmart selected universities with a specialized focus on serving working adult learners and top outcomes for the working adult demographic. Walmart is also collaborating with these universities to tailor the curriculum to relevant skills for jobs and advancement across industries for today and in the future.

ACCESSIBLE
The goal is for all employees who apply for admission to be accepted, and the three selected universities have a dedication to high graduation rates for their students.

SUPPORTED
Employees will receive support from a  coach on everything from the application and enrollment process to selecting the appropriate degree. This kind of academic counseling has been shown to help students complete their degree.

Walmart kicked off a scalable approach to creating educational opportunity for America’s workforce,  said Rachel Carlson, chief executive officer and co-founder of Guild Education, with whom Walmart is collaborating to provide the program.

Guild Education helps people gain an education through their employer’s tuition benefits which lead to increased employee satisfaction and retention, according to http://www.guildeducation.com

Walmart is also leading innovation in workforce development and higher education to help associates earn college credit for on-the-job training, Carlson said.

The Lumina Foundation has agreed to research and measure the impact and effectiveness of the program and will work with the Walmart team to share findings.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OFFERINGS
Walmart’s new education program underscores the importance of education in helping employees prepare for the future with degrees in supply chain management or business. This is part of a broader approach to preparing the workforce to succeed today and into the future.

Initiatives include:

· Developing a broad suite of offerings across roles from frontline to executive levels develop job-related skills for advancement.

· Covering the complete cost for employees and eligible family members for earning a high school diploma or GED.

· Offering employees and eligible family members access to tuition discounts, financial aid assistance, and education coaching across Guild’s broader network of more than 80 accredited, nonprofit university partners, including schools such as The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Columbia University and Purdue University. These institutions are made available through EdX.

· Giving access to professional development courses including college prep, leadership training, and ESL.

 

Walmart associates can learn more by visiting WalmartOne.

 

Wine Stroll, Art Walk, Concert on Main Street July 27

Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk

and Concert Slated for July 27

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (June 14, 2018) – Looking for one of Fort Scott’s coolest summer events? Mark your calendar for Friday, July 27.

The Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott has partnered with the City of Fort Scott, the Bourbon County Arts Council (BCAC) and other local businesses to host the second Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk, and Blane Howard concert in downtown Fort Scott.

The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. and features a variety of events to appeal to a broad audience and all ages. Main Street will be blocked between 1st and 2nd Streets for the event beginning at 3:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

The art walk, coordinated by the BCAC, is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the works displayed by area artists and sounds of local musicians.

The wine stroll will feature a sampling of wines from several Kansas vineyards. New to the event this year are samples of distilled spirits. Cost for the wine stroll is $25. The event is open to those age 21 years and older and includes a commemorative wine glass. A valid ID is required at check-in located outside of 119 S Main. Only paid participants with a valid wristband are able to sample product.

Topping off the night, country music sensation Blane Howard will have folks dancing at Liberty Theatre beginning at 8:30 p.m. Concert tickets are $35 each. Modern Woodmen of America is the corporate sponsor for the concert.

Patrons can save $10 if they purchase both the wine stroll and concert tickets for $50. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/HitTheBricksTix2.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mercy Health Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation which is fundraising to purchase a new transport ambulance for Mercy Fort Scott EMS.

Summer Activities at the Gordon Parks Museum

 

Fort Scott-The Gordon Parks Museum will host three different activities for the public this summer. On Saturdays, the museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will show a film each week starting at 1:00 p.m. “Cinema Saturdays” will feature films of Gordon Parks and two films of filmmaker Kevin Willmott. See the website at gordonparkscenter.org for a list of the films and their dates.

On Tuesday, June 26, at 1:00 p.m., the museum will host a speaker, John Edwin Mason, from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Mason’s talk is entitled: “Seeing Another Charlottesville: Hidden Histories and the Power of Photography.”

Mason teaches African history and the history of photography at the University and he has written extensively on early nineteenth-century South Africa history, especially the history of slavery, South African popular culture, especially the Cape Town New Year’s Carnival and jazz, and the history of photography.

His research now concerns African-American and South-African photography. He is working on “Gordon Parks and American Democracy,” a book about the ways in which Parks’ Life magazine photo-essays on poverty and the black liberation struggle and the books that he published during the civil rights era made him one of the era’s most significant interpreters of the black experience. Mason is also a documentary photographer with a long-term interest in exploring race and gender in American motorsports.

A “Wine and Design” event will be held at the Museum on Friday, June 29 and on Friday, July 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants will experience creating a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork using photography, pastels and/or watercolors. The finished work will be printed on 11 x 17 paper and be suitable for framing.

Gordon Parks used this technique in his later years and created beautiful images by creating a background either with pastels, watercolor, etc. He then used a found object, lit the entire scene on two levels and took a photograph of it.

The $25 class fee includes supplies, one complimentary glass of wine or soft drink, and the printed artwork. Class size is limited so please register by calling 223-2700, ext. 5850.

The Gordon Parks Museum is open this summer Tuesday through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information contact the museum by email at [email protected] or by phone at 223-2700, ext. 5850.

Contact: Jill Warford at 1-800-874-3722, ext. 5850

Email:[email protected]

 

 

Non-Driver Transportation Funding Possibilities

Transportation Alternatives Program call for projects

 

Topeka – The Kansas Department of Transportation announces the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program call for 2020 projects.

 

KDOT’s TA Program provides funding for a variety of alternative transportation projects. These projects include, but are not limited to, the construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities; infrastructure for non-driver access to public transportation; projects that enhance safety and mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders; projects that improve scenic or environmental assets in the state and Safe Routes to School projects.

 

An estimated $7 million in federal funds are expected to be awarded for Federal Fiscal Year 2020. All selected projects are required to meet a minimum 20 percent local cash match.

 

Important dates:

  • Wednesday, June 13 – TA Program website was live with program guidance materials and application form – http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burtransplan/TransAlt.asp
  • Friday, July 6, 4 p.m. – Deadline to participate in TA Program Workshops – KDOT will host two workshops to inform applicants about program requirements, review a demo application packet and changes from previous rounds of TA funding and answer questions. Space is limited – contact Matt Messina at [email protected] or (785) 296-7448 by the deadline and select one of the workshop times below:
    • Topeka: Tuesday, July 101 p.m. to 3 p.m. – TA Workshop at Eisenhower State Office Building’s 4th-floor auditorium, 700 SW Harrison, Topeka.
    • Salina: Wednesday, July 11 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – TA Workshop at KDOT’s District Two conference room, 1006 N. Third, Salina.
  • Monday, Sept. 10, 4 p.m.  – Applications are due. Submit one paper copy and one digital copy in PDF format on a USB flash drive to KDOT headquarters: Attn: Matthew Messina, 700 SW Harrison St. 2nd Floor, Topeka, KS 66603.
  • October – November – KDOT staff will conduct site visits for eligible projects.
  • December – Project selections and public announcement of awards.

 

Program materials, which includes the TA Program Guide, the project application form, frequently asked questions with answers and more are available for download at http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burtransplan/TransAlt.asp

 

New Massage Therapist Located at Presbyterian Village

Salette Schee, massage therapist

Salette Schlee, 26, is bringing her massage therapy business, Knock Out Massage Therapy, LLC to Fort Scott.

Since graduating from Missouri College, St. Louis, MO in 2015 with a certification in massage therapy, Schlee has worked at Platinum Salon in Frontenac. Schlee graduated from Arma High School.

“I was wanting to serve another community,” Schlee said of her adding a therapy site in Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton.

“I received my Associates of Science (2010-2012) from Fort Scott Community Collete and played volleyball for FSCC,” she said.

She started taking appointments last week at the facility.

Schlee can be reached at 620-249-7479 for appointments on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Schlee uses client specific therapy that includes a mixture of Swedish, sports massage, Trigger Point Release, deep tissue and myofascial release therapies.