Applications accepted through August 31st for the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant cycle for 2020!
This year, FSACF will be awarding over $42,000.00 to local not-for-profits for projects to benefit our community. A certain dollar amount of the awards is reserved for projects that benefit our youth. Maximum grant to any one project is $5,000.00.
8/15 – The Lavender Patch Farm – Even though our summer season has ended, The Lavender Patch will be open one day or two days per month. In August it’ll be on the 15th & 29th from 9:00-1:00. Remember, we are always open by appointment! Our second bloom is starting so there is some lavender to pick if you’d like!
8/22 –SMALLVILLE ATHLETICS – FORT GAMES 2020! Competition starts Friday, 8/22 at 5 pm & all Day Saturday 8/23 – Annual Fitness Competition includes:2 Day M/M F/F Partner Competition Divisions Include: Rx, Intermediate, Master’s 35+ & Scaled – Be held at 1905 S. Judson St.
9/5 – BOURBON COUNTY TOUR – 8:30am-12pm, Ghost Towns & Early Legends of Northern Bourbon County, carpool tour leaving from the Old Fort Genealogical Library, register today here. Limited to 40 participants.
9/5 -SPECIAL OLYMPICS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT! Sat. starting at 1:30 pm until 5 pm at the Woodland Golf Course to Sign up!
The former St. Andrews Episcopal Church is getting a new roof.
The former St. Andrews Episcopal Church at 123 S. National Avenue is getting a new roof.
“The building was formerly decommissioned so it is no longer St. Andrews Church,” said owner DandeLyon Vredenburg.
Roofers from Kansas City were hired by owners Vredenburg and her partner, Carl Repp, for the installation of a new roof on the entire sloped portion of the building.
This completes the exterior envelope work they have been working on, she said.
“We have also replaced the flat roof in 2017,” Vredenburg said. “We have replaced the rotted windows with thermal pane energy-efficient windows. This… ensures it’s preservation for the long term. We have also completed our planned work on the interior. This includes two New York loft-style residences and professional offices/workspace. “
The building houses offices and currently is occupied, except for one suite, she said.
“That rents for $250 which includes electronic access, water, garbage, electricity, gas and WiFi,” she said. “There are four businesses that currently lease space from us and run out of that building.”
Vredenburg was asked if the building is for sale.
“The building is not officially on the market but we are always open for interesting business opportunities.,” she said.
Vredenburg and her partner, Repp, stay here when in the area.
“This endeavor has been a labor of love,” Vredenburg said. “Built with our own hands and funded entirely by our own dollars. This building has offered us and continues to provide a sanctuary when we return to Fort Scott throughout the year from working abroad.”
Second Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
employee tests COVID-19 positive
FORT SCOTT, Ks. – A second Fort Scott Presbyterian Village non-direct resident care employee tested positive for COVID-19 in testing conducted at the campus last week. Seven employees and two residents were tested after being identified as close contacts of an employee who tested positive August 1. The seven employees have been in quarantine at home and the two residents have been in isolation at the campus.
Six employees and the two residents tested negative. One non-direct resident care employee tested positive. No residents or employees, including the employee who tested positive, are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 at this time.
The Bourbon County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Epidemiology Hotline have been notified. At this time, the health department is not recommending any additional testing because the positive employee has been in quarantine since August 1.
“Our top priority continues to be the safety of our residents and staff members,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s infection preventionist and vice president for health and wellness.
Families were been called August 7 to alert them to the positive case, and all state and county mandatory required reporting agencies have been notified.
All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. The community regularly reinforces with all staff that an employee should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or are not feeling well.
The employee is quarantined and will not be allowed to work until they meet CDC and KDHE guidelines for when an employee may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic employees may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the employee’s fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the employee’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive employees will quarantine for 14 days. Upon the employee’s return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.
For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, Presbyterianmanors.org/Media- room.
Hosts Virtual Panel with State, Business and Industry Leaders
The week’s activities will highlight Kansas’ position as a leader in wind energy development, opportunities for the state’s workforce, and the many ways wind is building the future.
Topeka, KS – This week marks American Wind Week, an annual celebration of wind energy’s leading role in powering our country and the many ways wind is helping build the future. This year, Boost Kansas and its supporters have plenty to celebrate as wind is now America’s number one source of renewable energy.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind power has created good-paying jobs for over 120,000 Americans across all 50 states, including more than 26,000 jobs at more than 530 U.S. factories that build wind turbine parts. Wind energy is a drought and flood proof “cash crop” for America’s family farmers and ranchers, paying over $1.6 billion dollars a year in lease payments and revenue for state and local governments, while avoiding carbon pollution equivalent to 42 million cars. The nation has a vast resource to harvest through both onshore and offshore wind energy development, with a power potential that is nearly double the nation’s electricity use.
Right here in Kansas, Governor Kelly issued a proclamation announcing this week as American Wind Week, along with 4 cities and counties. In Kansas, wind now supports 6,000 jobs, $36 million in annual land lease payments, and provides $29 million in revenue for state and local governments, leading to new community facilities such as schools and courthouses, improving roads and bridges, and upgrading emergency services. More than $11.4 billion in capital financing has been invested in the state, providing unparalleled opportunities for workforce expansion and economic growth as a result of wind energy.
Throughout the week, Boost Kansas will be sharing the stories of communities that are benefiting from wind energy. These stories are now available including two notable examples from Ford and Pratt Counties.
On Monday, August 10 at 10:30-11:00 AM CT, Apex Clean Energy will host a virtual tour of a wind farm and wind turbine climb to highlight the wind energy workers on the frontlines helping keep the lights on every day and ensuring that Americans have access to cheap, clean electricity. Join us at the following link to watch live!
Boost Kansas is also excited to announce that we’ll be holding a virtual event that will give Kansans an opportunity to hear more about the successes of wind energy in their own state:
WHAT
A virtual panel discussion with state, business, and industry leaders highlighting Kansas’ position as a leader in wind energy development, the economic and workforce opportunities wind brings to the state, and the many ways the energy source is building the future.
WHO
State Senator Elaine Bowers
Randi Tveitaraas Jack, Manager of International Development, Department of Commerce
Joann Knight, Executive Director, Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation
To set up an interview with a panelist during American Wind Week, please contact Jesse Dougherty at [email protected] or (608) 807-8619.
Boost Kansas will be sharing highlights and other content onFacebook and Twitter. Follow along and join in the conversation by using #AmericanWindWeek and #WindBuildsTheFuture.
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About Boost Kansas
Boost Kansas, an initiative of the American Wind Energy Association, is a statewide coalition of civic and business leaders supporting innovative policies that expand renewable and wind energy investment in the state. With commonsense federal and state policies, Kansas can continue to be a national leader in harnessing the power of wind and renewable energy development. Learn more at BoostKansas.com.
About the American Wind Energy Association
AWEA is the national trade association for the U.S. wind industry, the largest source of renewable energy in the country. We represent 1,000 member companies, 120,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, and a nationwide workforce located across all 50 states. AWEA serves as a powerful voice for how wind works for America. Members include global leaders in wind power and energy development, turbine manufacturing, and component and service suppliers. They gather each year at the Western Hemisphere’s most efficient and targeted event for utility-scale renewable companies, the AWEA CLEANPOWER Conference & Exhibition, next in Indianapolis, June 7-10, 2021. An outgrowth of the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, CLEANPOWER is the first trade show focused exclusively on the utility-scale renewable power sector, bringing together all the major developers, utilities, OEMs, suppliers, and buyers under one roof. Visit AWEA’s website to learn more about the enormous economic benefits wind power brings to America and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
8/7thru8/9 –NO SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND! Select retailers have volunteered to pay for for 9.4% Sales Tax for Shoppers!
8/7 & 8/8 – Liquidation Sale at Captured Images-FIRST liquidation sale at Captured Images. We are offering display prints, books, frames, albums and more! We are also selling negative files and digital files from finished sessions. Stop by from 9-6 Friday and/or 9-12 Saturday and take a look!
8/7 -Pickup Softball Game @ Ellis Park at 6 pm to 9 pm. Public invited to participate & attend. Planned by Locals. Fort Scott Rec. Dept will work the field and will start a fall League if there is interest. Dustin Fowler
8/7thru8/13 –Fort Scott Cinema: Field of Dreams, 2 Fast 2 Furious & Happy Gilmore!
8/8 -Briggs Drive-In Movie Night! – Showing Ford Vs Ferrari at 8:30 pm. Free Snacks will be served. Turn in on Radio station for Audio. Stay in your own car!
Hosted by Creative Canvas $25 – This is already “SOLD OUT”
SAVE THE DATE!
8/22 -SPECIAL OLYMPICS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT! Sat. starting at 1:30 pm until 5 pm at the Woodland Golf Course to Sign up!
8/22 –SMALLVILLE ATHLETICS – FORT GAMES 2020! Competition starts Friday, 8/22 at 5 pm & all Day Saturday 8/23 – Annual Fitness Competition includes:2 Day M/M F/F Partner Competition Divisions Include: Rx, Intermediate, Master’s 35+ & Scaled – Be held at 1905 S. Judson St.
The Kansas Corporation Commission will review details of Evergy’s new Sustainability Transformation Plan to protect ratepayer interests
TOPEKA – With the announcement that Evergy’s Board of Directors voted in favor of a standalone plan (Sustainability Transformation Plan) to increase shareholder value, KCC staff will soon begin its review of the details and how the Sustainability Transformation Plan might affect electric ratepayers.
In June, the KCC opened a general investigation into an agreement between Evergy, a regulated utility, and Elliot International. The agreement required the utility to develop a standalone plan to cut costs or pursue a merger transaction to increase shareholder profits. KCC staff were concerned that either path had the potential to have a negative impact on consumers.
Evergy is required to file a report addressing questions posed by KCC staff about the new Sustainability Transformation Plan within two weeks of today’s announcement. After receipt, the KCC as well as other stakeholders participating in the investigation, have 45 days to respond to the information provided.
Six stakeholder groups, including the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board, Kansas Power Pool, Kansas Electric Power Cooperative Inc., Kansas Industrial Consumers, IBEW, and USD 259 Sedgwick County have intervened to participate in the investigation.
G-N-R Healthy Living, an essential oils business, will open soon in downtown Fort Scott. The initials stand for Great Natural Relief.
The new business is located at 13 North Main Street.
13 N. Main, Fort Scott.
Stacy Gooderl is the owner and will sell essential oils and CDB hemp oils.
The business is set to open today, August 3, 2020.
The hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday.
“We have used the oils,” Gooderl said. “We truly know that they help. Plus work for all issues like asthma, anxiety. The pain cream has helped out all on our softball team.”
“It’s not harmful in any way, it’s safe for adults to use,” she said. “Essential oils help many ways too, with sleep issues, plus so many more. I love helping people.”
Standing at the bottom of a wind turbine looking up at the clear Kansas sky.
The Bourbon County Commission voted on March 13, 2020, to approve a wind energy project submitted by Apex Clean Energy, Charlottesville, Virginia. There was some community protest, but the commission moved forward with the project that will produce energy from wind turbines.
The development of the Jayhawk Wind Project continues to advance, according to Helen Humphreys, Public Engagement Manager for Apex Clean Energy, the parent company of Jayhawk Wind.
The land is currently being inspected on proposed sites.
“We are in process of conducting (and) completing micro siting efforts, a process which involves a physical inspection to verify that the site meets all requirements,” she said in an email interview. “Once micro siting is complete, engineering studies will be conducted to further evaluate the sites on which facilities might be located.”
“Once this work is complete, we will share the locations of the planned facilities with landowners and collect their feedback, before a map is finalized,” she said.
“There are 74 participating landowners in the Jayhawk Wind Project,” Humphreys said. As things stand now, construction will begin in late 2020 and the project will be operational in 2021.
The Apex Clean Energy company has been building connections in Bourbon County, as well.
“Finally, and importantly, the Jayhawk team has continued to build connections in the community,” Humphrey’s said. “Guided by community leaders, Jayhawk has provided grants to a number of community organizations, including The Beacon food pantry and Feeding Families in His Name.”
Julianna Pianelli, Apex Development Manager, explained that “early in the pandemic response, Jayhawk connected with community non-profits and church leaders to identify the organizations positioned to meet community needs. We are humbled by the commitment of so many to their neighbors and community and are very pleased to support their work.”
For more background on Jayhawk Wind in Bourbon County:
Downtown Historic District held at the Empress Event Center
Attendees may wear mask at their own Discretion
Let’s talk about: SPARK FUNDING
The Bourbon County Commission received $2.9M in CARES Act funds through the State of Kansas SPARK funding. This funding is designed to help the county with the health and economic emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the funding, visit https://www.bourboncountyks.org/spark/.
