Governor Signs 10 Bipartisan Bills

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Several Pieces of Bipartisan Legislation

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed several bipartisan bills that will implement meaningful changes for Kansans, communities, and businesses.

House Bill 2071

HB 2071, as amended, would amend the definition of the crime of stalking to include intentionally engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific child under the age of 14 that would cause a reasonable person in the circumstances of the targeted child, or a reasonable person in the circumstances of an immediate family member of such child, to fear for such child’s safety.

House Bill 2085

HB 2085 creates the Students’ Right to Know Act, which requires the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to ensure the distribution, electronic or otherwise, of certain information to all students in grades 7 through 12. Information to be distributed will include:

  • The State Board of Regents degree prospectus information;
  • The placement and salary report of the Kansas Training Information Program;
    and
  • Any other information relevant to students’ understanding of potential earnings as determined by the Department of Labor and each branch of the armed services of the U.S. military.

The bill also authorizes KSDE to enter into memorandums of understanding and other agreements with state agencies or other entities as needed to accomplish this task.

House Bill 2101

HB 2101 extends the current transfer of the first $10.5 million credited to the Expanded Lottery Act Revenues Fund (ELARF) from ELARF to the Kan-grow Engineering Fund – KU, the Kan-grow Engineering Fund – KSU, and the Kan-grow Engineering Fund – WSU with each fund receiving equal amounts of $3.5 million in each fiscal year, for FY 2023 through FY 2032. The transfer first occurred in FY 2013 and is currently scheduled to end with the transfer in FY 2022.

House Bill 2165

HB 2165, as amended, would amend the definition of an antique vehicle for purposes of vehicle registration.

House Bill 2167

HB 2167, as amended, would add two exceptions to law requiring a license plate to be attached to the rear of a motor vehicle. The bill would allow concrete mixer trucks the option to display a license plate on the front of the vehicle rather than on the rear of the vehicle and would require a dump truck with a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or more to display a license plate on the front of the vehicle. The requirement for a dump truck to display a license plate on the front of the vehicle would not apply to a vehicle registered as a farm truck.

House Bill 2245

HB 2245, as amended, would add law authorizing the Division of Vehicles (Division), Department of Revenue, to collect emergency contact information and would provide for the use of such information by law enforcement agencies.

House Bill 2247

HB 2247, as amended, would designate portions of highway in Johnson, Marshall, and Norton counties as memorial highways and would designate certain bridges in Cowley, Riley, and Seward counties as memorial bridges.

House Bill 2379

HB 2379 enacts the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Vehicle Sharing Program Act.

Senate Bill 16

SB 16 would amend statutes to remove requirements that the following reports and certifications be provided to the Legislative Division of Post Audit (LPA), the Post Auditor, or the Legislative Post Audit Committee.

Senate Bill 89

SB 89, as amended, would amend law on securing loads on vehicles to create an exemption for trucks, trailers, or semitrailers when hauling agricultural forage commodities intrastate from the place of production to a market or place of storage or from a place of storage to a place of use. The bill would state this exemption would not apply to trucks, trailers, or semitrailers hauling hay bales or other packaged or bundled forage commodities. Continuing law requires securing a load on a vehicle so as to prevent any of this load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping.

Governor Vetoes Senate Bill 50

Governor Laura Kelly Remains Committed to Fiscal Responsibility, Vetoes Senate Bill 50

TOPEKA – The following message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 50:

“Last year, despite COVID-19, Kansas experienced a record-setting $2.5 billion in new investment from businesses. These companies chose to make Kansas home in large part due to the state’s recent investments in our economic development tools, prioritizing funding for infrastructure improvements, and reinvesting in our students.

“As many of you with whom I served well remember, in order to provide sustainable funding for essential government services, we cannot return to the era of perennial, self-inflicted budget crises that undermine the very fabric and foundation of our state.”

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 50.”

UHS Project-Based Learning Students Open Coffee Shop

Camryn  Davis takes orders from a line of students on April 14  at the Eagles Nest. Submitted photos by Mike Reith.
Uniontown High School students opened a coffee shop on April 5 at the school, following months of preliminary groundwork.
The school’s mascot is an eagle and the name of the coffee shop is Eagles’ Nest.
 “The name was chosen by students through surveys,” Alicia Jackson, the teacher sponsor of the project, said.
 The idea was an outgrowth of one of the three major redesign committees that Uniontown Junior / Senior High School personnel has established, she said.
“The Special Ops Committee originally had thirteen members, consisting of teachers and staff from all areas across the school.  Students were a part of the team as well.”
Waiting in line at the Eagles Nest. Photos submitted by Mike Reith.
 In 2020, students presented a PowerPoint presentation to the USD235 school board along with a complete business plan and design ideas.
“Much of the groundwork included interviews, coffee shop field trips, research, and surveys,” she said.  “The school board…designated a space for the coffee shop and had renovations completed prior to school opening this year.”
 “A group of seven Project-Based Learning (PBL) students picked up the project and have made the coffee shop truly a  student-led operation,” Jackson said.
Some of the goals for the project: students gain detailed business knowledge, gain work experience as employees and managers, and develop skills that will enable them to transition to part-time or full-time jobs.
Additional goals are to “earn scholarships, to encourage better grades so students will be granted privileges to ‘hang out’ at the coffee shop area, and to add a fun element to the learning environment as well,” Jackson said.
The menu at the Eagles Nest. Photos submitted by Mike Reith.
Seven Project-Based Learning students are working in the shop. Junior Laney Covey is the manager. Senior Rhian Gorman led the design efforts. The two assistant managers are  Junior Camryn Davis who has contributed from her work experience outside the school, and  Junior Alie Fuhrman who has focused on fundraising and operations.  Senior Hannah Smith joined the group this semester when she returned from remote learning and brought business knowledge to the group.  Two junior high students are actively involved as well: Tyranny Bilyeu and Abigail Lotterer.
Eagles Nest baristas from left to right. Rhian Gorman, Alie Fuhrman, Laney Covey, Hannah Smith, Abigail Lotterer, Camryn Davis, and Tyrrany Bilyeu. Submitted by Alicia Jackson.

The manager’s job is to oversee operations such as ordering supplies, purchasing equipment, preparing and decorating the facility, Covey said.

 

“As a team, our Project Based Learning group worked together to accomplish all of the preparations to open a coffee shop,” Covey said.

 

” I think that the Eagles’ Nest opens up a multitude of opportunities to our high school and junior high students,” Covey said. “Not only do students get to enjoy a beverage that has not previously been offered to them at school, but students can sit down at the tables, visit, and hang out.”

 

“By opening up the coffee shop, we give students a calm environment that we can continue to utilize and grow in the future,” Covey said.

 

“The Eagles’ Nest project has also been a great learning experience to teach us the basics of running and operating a business,” Covey said.

 The coffee shop workspace is a room located inside of the former FACS (Family and Consumer Science) room in the high school. The space was originally a darkroom for yearbook staff years ago,” Jackson said.
“This PBL group has cleaned, painted, and decorated the entire outer room, which is now used for seating,” Jackson said.  “The larger room is a shared space for meetings and classes as needed but open for the coffee shop during our hours.”
  The target customers are students from grades 7 – 12.
“Teachers and staff have also been supportive buyers,” Jackson said.  “We follow the nutritional guidelines for sizes of drinks and nutritional content.  We are thrilled when anyone buys from us.”
Prices range from $ .75 to $1.25 depending upon the order.
” We have coffee, iced coffee, and cappuccino for high school students only,” Covey said.  “The coffee shop also has iced tea, hot tea, hot chocolate, lemonade, and Capri Sun available to the entire student body. The Eagles’ Nest will also be offering a wide variety of specialty syrup flavors.”
 The Eagles’ Nest is open from 7:30 until 7:55  a.m. and then again for ten minutes during 2nd Chance Breakfast between 2nd and 3rd hours.
“We are hoping to open during some seminar periods at the end of the day, as we perfect our skills and schedules,” Jackson said.
“The shop did a soft start opening with seniors during seminar on Monday, April 5,” Jackson said.  “Since then, we have been open daily in the mornings.”
Baristas Rhian Gorman and Laney Covey prepare orders at the Eagles Nest. Photos submitted by Mike Reith.
About PBL
“PBL (Project-Based Learning) is one of the main redesign emphases that we implemented this year,”  Mike Reith, principal of the high school and junior high, said. “We have a 70-minute PBL period every Wednesday; this is to allow students the opportunity to focus solely on their projects.”
“We currently have 84 different PBL groups, ranging from community/school service to learning new musical instruments to beginning a chicken operation to promoting school spirit to wood and metal projects to developing exercise programs to painting wall murals around the school, and so many more,” he said.
“The Eagles’ Nest Coffee Shop has been one of the main business-focused PBL projects, but we also have some young ladies who have started a T-Shirt design and printing business called ‘The U’,” he said.  “They have been very successful so far and continue to see their orders increasing.”

The PBL presentations will take place on April 27 and 28 during the PBL period, he said.

 

FSHS Girls Swim Team Place At Invitationals

The Fort Scott High School Girls Swim Team is off to the races.

  They swam in the Winfield Invitational on April 6,  where they finished 5th as a team,” said Coach Angie Kemmerer.  “The Tigers had a total of 27 entries for the meet and earned 16 Best Times.”

Annelise Hall took 8th in the 200 IM dropping 2.67 seconds for a best time.

In the 50 Free, Ava Steier took 3rd, Dawna Hudiburg 7th and Alyssa Smith 10th out of 41 swimmers.

  In the 100 Free, Ashley Smith took 11th, Emily Davenport 18th and Annalyse Gilmore 21st out of 37 swimmers.

 Maia Martin took 17.88 seconds off her 500 Free and placed 9th,

“The FSHS 200 yard “A” Free Relay took 4th and dropped 2.88 seconds and our “B” 200 Free Relay took 12th and got a team best time by dropping 6 seconds,” she said.  ” In the 100 Backstroke, Ava Steier took 5th and Kourtney Flynn took 13th out of 27 swimmers. FSHS had a strong showing in the 100 Breast where Annelise Hall placed 4th, Dawna Hudiburg 8th and Ashley Smith 9th out of 27 swimmers.”

 

Tiger Swimmers returned to the pool in Coffeyville on April 13 where they finished the night with a 2nd place team finish.

“A” 200 Medley Relay took 3rd:  Ashley Smith, Annelise Hall, Alyssa Smith and Dawna Hudiburg

“B” 200 Bedley Relay took 6th:  Emily Davenport, Maia Martin, Ava Steier, Annalyse Gilmore

200 Freestyle:  Smiley Davenport 3rd,  Annalyse Gilmore 5th (dropped 4 seconds for Best Time)

200 IM:  Alyssa Smith 4th, Annelise Hall 7th

50 Free: Ava Steier 2nd (BT of 27.78), Dawna Hudiburg 4th (BT 30.73), Rylan Mason 8th

100 Butterfly:  Maia Martin 4th dropped over 2 seconds for a best time

100 Free:  Ava Steier 3rd (BT 1:01.63), Ashley Smith 4th (BT 1:10.36), Alyssa Smith 5th (BT 1:23.03

500 Free:  Kourtney Flynn dropped13 seconds for a BT

200 Free Relay took 2nd: Ashley Smith, Annelise Hall, Alyssa Smith, and Dawna Hudiburg

100 Back: Ashley Smith took 3rd with a best time

100 Breast: 1st Annelise Hall (BT), 5th Dawna Hudiburg, 8th Emily Davenport

400 Free Relay took 4th: Ava Steier, Annalyse Gilmore, Kourtney Flynn, Maia Martin

KDHE: Survey of Mothers Results

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Reports on Third Year of Statewide Survey of Mothers

Topeka – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has released its third annual report from the Kansas Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). The 2019 PRAMS Surveillance Report provides insight from women who were interviewed in the months following the birth of their infant, about their health and experiences around the time of pregnancy. Forty-seven states participate in the PRAMS survey, covering about 83% of all live births in the United States.

Kansas joined the PRAMS project in 2016 and began data collection in 2017. The PRAMS survey helps shed light on issues that affect the well-being of mothers and infants. Some of these issues, such as postpartum depression and stressors experienced around the time of pregnancy, had never been studied at the statewide level in Kansas before the PRAMS study.

Some notable findings from the 2019 Kansas PRAMS survey include:

  • Nearly 1 in 8 mothers who went for prenatal care (12.1%) reported not receiving prenatal care when they wanted it. Among those who either did not get prenatal care when they wanted it, or did not have any prenatal care, the most frequently reported barriers were that they couldn’t get an appointment when they wanted one (36.4%), and that they didn’t know they were pregnant (32.5%).
  • More than 1 in 6 mothers (16.9%) had smoked cigarettes in the 3 months before pregnancy. Among those who smoked 3 months before pregnancy and went for prenatal care, 79.4% reported that a healthcare worker had advised during a prenatal care visit that they quit smoking.
  • More than 1 in 8 mothers (13.8%) reported that there was a time after their infant was born that they thought they needed treatment or counseling for depression, but did not get it.
  • Nearly 3 in 4 mothers (72.1%) reported breastfeeding their infants for at least 8 weeks.
  • More than 1 in 17 women (6.1%) reported having at least “a lot” of difficulty with at least one of six tasks (seeing, hearing, walking, remembering or concentrating, self care, or communicating).

This report also includes information on trends and demographic disparities for some outcomes, from survey years 2017 through 2019. For instance, the prevalence of reporting that prenatal care started in the first trimester increased, from 85.7% among women with a live birth in 2017, to 90.0% among women with a live birth in 2019. However, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities were observed. For instance, non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women with a live birth in 2017-2019 had a lower prevalence of self-reported first-trimester prenatal care, compared to non-Hispanic White women.

“This report reveals many gaps that still need to be addressed,” said Dr. Farah Ahmed, Environmental Health Officer and State Epidemiologist with KDHE. “For instance, we continue to see many women reporting needing counseling for depression after having a baby and not receiving it. We also see missed opportunities to advise all pregnant women who smoke to quit smoking during prenatal care visits.”

“Current data validates the collaborative work underway to support mothers in accessing the care they need at a time that’s right for them,” said Rachel Sisson, Director of the KDHE Bureau of Family Health. “Mothers reported they did not receive prenatal care when they wanted it. For some, a contributing factor to timely prenatal care was not knowing they were pregnant. It’s critical that community providers caring for women of childbearing age conduct comprehensive assessments at every visit to determine their goals and needs.”

The report is available online at:  www.kdheks.gov/prams/downloads/Kansas_PRAMS_2019_Surveillance_Report.pdf.  For more information about the PRAMS project in Kansas, visit: www.kdheks.gov/prams.

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Bills Signed to Aid Economic Recovery

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bipartisan Legislation to Aid Kansas’s Economic Recovery

~Legislation prioritizes strategic growth, business recruitment, and innovation as the state recovers from COVID-19~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed four bipartisan bills into law to drive economic growth and strengthen Kansas’ economy. Senate Bills 65, 66, 90, and 124 are part of Governor Kelly’s Growth Agenda, a multifaceted legislative approach to improving Kansas’ ability to attract major businesses and strengthen our economy in accordance with the Framework for Growth strategic plan.

“As our state recovers from COVID-19, we have the opportunity to rebuild a stronger, healthier, more resilient workforce and economy in Kansas,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “These bipartisan bills will help us achieve this goal by improving our ability to recruit cutting-edge businesses, revitalize our rural communities, and address housing shortages statewide. I thank the Legislature and Department of Commerce for their work on this important legislation.”

Each bill strengthens a specific area of Kansas economic development:

SB 65 – New improvements and updates to the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP). Companies will no longer need to go through the Kansas Industrial Training/Retraining (KIT/KIR) programs to qualify for HPIP, leaving vital training funds to be used in more strategic ways. In addition, the bill allows for up to 50% of tax credits earned through HPIP to be transferred, helping to ensure that companies can fully utilize earned credits.

SB 66 – An extension of the Angel Investor Tax Credit program in Kansas for the next five years. Important updates have been made to the program, including changes to credit investment amounts, increasing budget appropriations and more. Strengthening the Angels program will allow our state to more effectively attract start-ups that will help create the technology of the future. In addition, an amendment to the bill provides for an increase in tax credits to be used to make homes accessible for people with disabilities.

SB 90 – This bill significantly expands the types of projects allowed in Kansas Rural Housing Incentive Districts (RHID) and enables the renovation into residential use (including vertical construction) of buildings and structures more than 25 years old on Kansas main streets and downtown districts. Any city with a population of less than 60,000 will be eligible for this program, regardless of county population. This program is essential in addressing housing shortages in rural Kansas in particular.

SB 124 – The STAR Bonds program in Kansas has been continued with major updates. This legislation establishes third-party feasibility studies to be engaged by Commerce, community engagement summary requirements, and other transparency measures. Updates also include measures to increase use of the program in rural areas. Finally, the program can now be used as a tool to recruit headquarters and major business facilities with the potential to attract sizable out-of-state visitation.

“Governor Kelly is known for her unwavering support of education, but measures like these prove she is also the Economic Development Governor,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “The Governor and our partners in the Legislature are responding to the needs of businesses and communities throughout our state, making rapid growth attainable in communities of all sizes. The pillars of our Framework for Growth, including forward-thinking policy, emphasis on talent and innovation and effective leveraging of community assets all are represented in this legislation. These new laws will be truly instrumental drivers of Kansas’ economic growth.”

This announcement comes during Governor Kelly’s “Back to School, Back to Work” tour through Kansas. April 12 through April 16 is “Economic Development Week,” with Governor Kelly and Lt. Governor/Secretary Toland visiting businesses and workforce centers across the state.

To learn more about the Kansas Framework for Growth, Kansas’ economic development North Star, click here.

Additional bills Governor Kelly signed:

HB 2178: Vacating certain blocks in the original town plat set aside for a college and a park in the city of Americus and vesting fee simple title in the city.

HB 2238: Eliminating the dollar limitation for acceptance of gifts by donors to school districts or cities, or both, for library purposes.

HB 2295: Exempting municipal motor grader vehicle operators from Kansas uniform commercial drivers’ license act requirements.

What’s Happening in Fort Scott April 16 Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
April 16th Weekly Newsletter
Would you like to Donate for the Silent Auction?
Give us a call!
Fort Scott Chamber 620.223.3566
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organization!
Chamber Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration
Thursday, April 29th
Now Accepting Dinner Reservations!
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
April until 30th ~ Poetry Contest hosted by Hedgehog.INK Bookstore. Click here to learn more about submission rules and deadlines.
THURSDAY, APRIL 15TH THRU SATURDAY, APRIL 17TH
GO SHOP AND PLAY TO WIN
“TAKE A WILD GUESS”
GIFT CERTIFICATES RANGING FROM $10 TO $25 OR A T-SHIRT
  • HEDGEHOG.INK! BOOKSTORE
  • J & W SPORTS
  • MAIN STREET GALLERY & GIFTS
  • SHIRT SHACK
  • SUNSHINE BOUTIQUE
  • THE RAINBOW UNICORN
  • TREASURE HUNT FLEA MARKET
4/15-16 – Peerless Products Job Fair 2 Days, 2 Locations ~ April 15th @ Peerless in Nevada MO from 10am-2pm, April 16th @ Peerless in Fort Scott from 10am-2pm
4/16 – The Boiler Room Brewhaus featuring David Loving Live to the Stage at 7 pm.
4/16 | 22 – Fort Scott Cinema Showtimes Now showing Godzilla VS. Kong, Firl who believes in Miracles and Voyagers. Click here to view showtimes.
4/16-17 – Livestock Sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page.
4/17 – The Boiler Room Brewhaus featuring Happy Snappy Paint Party at 6 pm. Momma & Baby Elephant
4/17 – Kansas Rocks Recreation Spring Off Road 101 Course 9 am until 4:30 pm click here for details.
4/17 – EKTEC Rodeo 11am, Uniontown.
4/17 – Cruise for the Kids hosted by Walmart 12-3pm, click here for more info.
4/17 – Creative Canvas, Fort Scott Paint the Park (Gunn Park) at 1 -4 pm. click here to see details
4/17 – FSCC Greyhound Football at Home vs. Hutchinson CC 3 pm to 6 pm.
4/17-18 – Hollister Shooting Range open 1st & 3rd weekends Saturday 1-4pm, Sunday noon-5pm.
4/17- Elks Fireworks Fundraiser 3 man Scramble golf tournament. 4th of July Fireworks Show! Saturday 11 am -5 pm. Woodland Hills Golf Course.
4/22 – Chamber Coffee hosted by Bourbon County Conservation District Bourbon County Fairgrounds 8 am.
4/23-24 – Trolley Tours start for the season
50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott, leaving from the Chamber & Visitor Center Fridays (12pm, 1pm and 2pm) & Saturdays (11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm) throughout the summer. $6 adults, $4 children.
4/23 – Downtown Spring Clean Event 3-6pm, Community volunteers welcome, contact Bailey Lyons, Chamber Downtown Division Chair, if interested in volunteering or you have project ideas, 620-224-7795.
4/23 – Kick-off of the Friday Night Concerts in the Park 7pm, Heritage Park Pavilion @ 1st & Main, bring a lawn chair.
DEADLINE TO RESERVE DINNER |TABLE 4/23
THURSDAY, APRIL 29TH
CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER &
AWARDS CELEBRATION
CLICK HERE FOR INFO.!
MAY 7TH & 8TH
TOWN-WIDE GARAGE SALE
IN FORT SCOTT ~ WE ARE NOW
TAKING REGISTRATIONS!
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS!
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTER MEMBERS!

FS Planning Commissions Meets April 19

The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, April 19th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider a Conditional Use Permit for the property located at 10 N. National Avenue to allow first floor residential living.

This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.

Apple Pie by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche

Apple pie, the one slice of Americana not sacrificed on the altar of political greed, is next.

When professional baseball decided to stick its rosined nose into Georgia’s legislative voting protocol, Dave and I both held our hearts and grieved. Okay, I held my heart and grieved. Dave had a few, choice, frustrated words, as did numerous baseball buddies of his era.

Major League Baseball’s hierarchy opted to remove this summer’s All-Star Game from Atlanta, Georgia…the same Atlanta where our son Adam began his professional career and our youngest son Andy played his first major league game.

Our family loves Atlanta and the people who work at Braves’ stadium. Many employees we met were black and were some of the kindest, most dedicated individuals we’ve ever encountered in pro ball. But because somebody’s MLBPAA feathers were ruffled over the biased voter I.D. being required in Georgia (which would somehow be “unfair” to blacks), the mid-season game was moved to Denver…you know, where 93% of the people are white (as opposed to Atlanta where 76% of its citizens are black). And that is “fair” to the black people…how? Apparently, professional baseball thinks it prejudicial to ask voters to show their I.D.’s. The same organization that has asked for my I.D. for the past…oh, say 2,000 professional baseball games when I pick up my tickets at the Will-Call window. So, apparently everything is fair game…well, except where the All-Star game will be held. Nothing in my generation is to be left untouched as politics has caused a drastic upheaval in the way our citizens are asked to view:

1. The American flag

2. The National Anthem

3. The military

4. Prayer in school and in the workplace and in church and at assemblies and ________

5. Gender identification

6. Our police

7. Illegal immigrants

8. Freedom of speech

9. Guns

10. Rights of the unborn baby

11. Protests

12. God

And now, America’s favorite pastime…baseball.

Lucky #13 on the list.

Which brings us back to the one “untarnished” of American symbols: Apple pie.

After all, when you think of that popular dessert, surely you think “discrimination.”

 

Why else would the ala mode topping be vanilla and not chocolate? Um-hmmm! And then there is the “Gala” apple. Who, I wonder, came up with such a defamatory name? Reason enough to relegate apples to the orchard graveyard, if you ask me. One thing is for sure. Apple pie cannot remain guiltless. After all, many believe that an apple was the fruit of choice for Eve and Adam in the Garden of Eden, leading to the fall of mankind. If that isn’t serious, I don’t know what is. And since Scripture is silent on the fruit, we might as well take matters into our own juicy hands.

Readers, call your Congressmen/women. Correction: call your Senate people and Representative people. Remind them that one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. They will know what you mean.

Obituary of Raymond McIntosh

Raymond Claude McIntosh, age 83, was born at home, December 9, 1937, in Freedom Township, Bourbon County, Kansas, and died April 10, 2021. He died in a car crash returning to Buffalo, KS where he lived.

He married (1), Ida Rae Staten, December 18, 1959 in Pleasanton, KS, later divorcing. Their 4 sons were: Donald Ray and Daniel Dean, both of Bourbon Co., KS; David Scott and Debbie of Buffalo, KS and Cecil Earl of Phoenix, AZ. Raymond married (2), Delores Elaine “Hamilton” Owen, June 18, 1994. She brought to the marriage three children: Janet Sue Owen, Jeff Ronald Owen and Jack Allen Owen. Raymond was especially close to Jack Owen and his son.

Raymond was a high school graduate of Blue Mound, KS High School and took many educational and technical classes through the years. He was known to read advanced math books in his leisure. His intelligence, love of music, keen insights and love of all animals greatly impressed those around him, though he was a bit of a recluse. Raymond held various jobs (selling sewing machines, building boats and farm work) before his long-term job with the prison system of Phoenix, AZ. He then moved to the Los Angeles area of CA, building bridges, and finally worked with the Water Dept. of Buffalo, KS. Raymond was a member of the Carpenters Union of St. Louis-Kansas City.

He is survived by his first wife and their four children and two stepchildren of the second wife; many grandchildren and nieces and nephews; his brother: Gary McIntosh of Iola, KS and his sister: Linda Lou Heidner of Lawrence, KS and his first cousin of Mapleton, KS: Edith “Chaplin” Post and Howard. Passing before him were his brothers and a sister: Robert Louis, Richard Earl; William Edwin and Patricia Ellen Schwepker; and his parents: Nora Ellen Atherton and Earl Edwin McIntosh; and first cousins: Iren, Charlie, George and Cecil Chaplin. At life’s end, Raymond’s dog, Ellie, who survived the accident, was his constant companion. He will be greatly missed.

Cremation has occurred and a Graveside Service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. May 1, 2021, at the Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas. Memorials should be directed to, ‘Your Community Foundation’ for the benefit of animals (a special account established by Raymond); Box 44, Iola, KS 66749, or may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Year End Activities For Bourbon County High Schools

It’s the time of year where high school activities are ramping up for the end of the year: proms, graduations, senior trips.
The following are those activities of Fort Scott and Uniontown High Schools, Bourbon County’s two school districts.
Fort Scott High School.
Fort Scott High School
FSHS Prom is Saturday, May 8 from 8 to 11 p.m. in the River Room Event Center above Luther’s BBQ, at National Avenue and Oak Street.
Bert Lewis,  FSHS Junior and Senior Class Sponsor, said she will be asking the Fort Scott City Commission on April 20 about closing Oak Street from National Avenue to Judson Street for the prom walk-in.
Walk-in by the prom attendees will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
“Masks and social distancing will be required for spectators,” Lewis said.
Lewis said dates of current juniors or seniors that don’t attend FSHS,  will need to sign up in the school office before the prom, to attend.
 
FSHS has 136 juniors and 137 seniors this school year.

Thursday, May 13 is the last full day of classes for all FSHS, including seniors.

 

Graduation is Saturday, May 15.

 

“Graduation is on May 15th at 8 p.m. at the FSHS Football Stadium,” Jeff DeLaTorre, activities director for FSHS, said. “There will also be baccalaureate in the FSHS gym at 4 p.m.  “We are also working on details for a senior parade at 10 a.m. on the morning of the 15th. Nothing official yet but we will release details when they do become official.”

 

“At this time we plan on having full capacity at graduation,” he said. “Masks will be required and social distancing expected, but no other limitations at this time.”

 

“There will be a senior trip for seniors that choose to go on May 24th and 25th,” DeLaTorre said.  “They will be traveling to Branson.”

 

“This school year has been challenging for everyone in the district,” he said. “But our teachers, staff, students, and community have done an outstanding job of following protocols and procedures to keep our distractions and interruptions to a minimum. We are looking forward to finishing this school year strong and hope to return to more of a normal school year next year!”

 

 

Uniontown High School.
Uniontown High School
Uniontown High School Prom is this Saturday, April 17 in the high school gym.
The prom lineup is at 5:15 p.m., at the junior high school entrance. The walk-in is 6 p.m. and the dance is from 7 to 11 p.m.
“We have close to 70 students signed up to come to prom, which is higher than what it usually is,” Senior Class Secretary Kristy Beene said.  “Outside visitors can come from other schools but (students) have to have a form from their dates school to make sure they are in good standings.”
“You can take pictures at walk-in of course, and if you would like to take pictures of the decorations in the gym, it will have to be when the students are not in the gym, before the walk-in at 6 p.m.” Alison Weston, class sponsor, said. “The  (pandemic) restrictions haven’t completely lifted, just a little more lax.”
The UHS seniors will be going on a senior trip towards the Branson area, April 23-25.
 Graduation will be Saturday, May 8 at 2 P.M. in the West Bourbon Elementary School Gym.
There are some pandemic restrictions for UHS graduation.
Each member of the senior class will have tickets for 14 people to attend, according to Superintendent Bret Howard and a ticket will be required for entry to graduation.
There are 43 juniors and 30  seniors at UHS.
The senior’s last day at school is May 6, and the district’s last day is May 19-with a 1 p.m. dismissal.

 

Bourbon County Local News