Monthly Archives: May 2018

Housing, Kansas, Submitted

Japan is Kansas’ Third Largest Export Market

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Kansas Strengthens Trade Relations by Rejoining the Midwest-US Japan Association

 

Topeka- Governor Jeff Colyer announced today that Kansas will renew its alliance with Japan by rejoining the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association.  Governor Colyer met with the Japanese consulate in April at the Capitol to discuss the relationship between Kansas and Japan and feels this partnership will be a good way to strengthen business and agriculture relations.

“Kansas and Japan have historically been and continue to be great partners. It is time to take the next step,” said Governor Colyer, “I am looking forward to strengthening this valuable partnership through our renewed membership in the Midwest U.S. – Japan Association.”

Japan is an important export market for Kansas, traditionally ranking as one of the state’s top trading partners. Based on 2017 data, Japan is Kansas’ third largest export market, totaling $980 million. Kansas has also welcomed investment from Japanese companies such as Kubota, Kyodo Yushi, Takako, Gunze, Softbank, Yanmar, Sekisui, and Sumitomo.

“Japan is a very important export market for Kansas, and we are looking forward to continuing our already strong relationship,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “By joining the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association, we will have even more opportunities to work together and explore opportunities for growing our trading partnership.”

In early June, the Kansas Department of Agriculture will be participating in a USDA-led trade mission to Japan. Japan has been Kansas agriculture’s number two trading partner since 2014 and the goal of the trip is to strengthen the state’s relationship with Japan through this trade mission to Tokyo and Osaka. The trip will provide an opportunity to connect with potential customers and take part in briefings and site visits to learn firsthand about maximizing trade relationships with Japanese businesses.

“Japan continues to be the top export market for U.S. beef. Strengthening ties with this important trading partner is beneficial for Kansas beef producers,” said Kansas Livestock Association Chief Executive Officer Matt Teagarden.

“International trade markets are vital to the state of Kansas and the farmers and ranchers who call it home. Strong relationships with other countries can only help grow opportunities for Kansas farmers and ranchers,” said Kansas Farm Bureau president Richard Felts, a Montgomery County farmer.

Area News

St. Martin’s Academy Open House

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The main building of St. Martin’s Academy, Theokotos Hall,  is currently under construction.

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St. Martin’s Academy, a  newly developed boys Catholic boarding school,  hosted an open house  Saturday on the campus at 1950 Indian Road, rural Fort Scott.
The campus is currently under construction.
“Our goal was to introduce the academy, its campus, and some of its staff both to local residents interested in the new project, potential supporters of our academic and cultural vision, and the families of prospective students,” Patrick Whelan, the academy’s headmaster said.
The torrential downpour on Saturday did not deter interested people.
Attendees of St. Martin’s Academy Open House, braved rain and mud while attending the event. Here the last attendees of the open house leave the main hall of the school which is still under construction.
“Despite the terrible weather in the morning, at its busiest, we had about 80 people present with some coming from as far away as Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas,” Whelan said. ” Many of the folks who attended were from local areas including Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Kansas City, and many of those in attendance were families interested in sending a son to St. Martin’s Academy. “
The open house program began with Catholic Mass celebrated by the school’s chaplain, Fr. Bob McElwee, followed by a welcome and introduction from Daniel Kerr, the academy’s president, and Whalen.
Courtesy photo. Father McElwee speaks to attendees of the open house during Mass.
  Visitors participated in a round-robin of presentations from the faculty and staff of St. Martin’s Academy, including presentations on academics, residential life, farming, faith, and campus development.
“After lunch those interested participated in a hike through the campus that included feeding the animals, walking the woodland obstacle course, and visiting our ‘base camp’ in the woods,” Whelan said.
Following a break, visitors and local interested residents met in the lobby of the Courtland Hotel, downtown Fort Scott,  for the third, public St. Martin’s Academy Faculty Lecture, he said.
 “In a warm setting, with food and drink provided by the academy, Ron ‘Magister’ Klassen delivered a talk entitled The Joy of Learning Latin,” Whelan said.
For more information, click here to view a prior story:
Area News, Schools, Submitted

Welding Expansion at FSCC

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Masonry students Siarra Clark, left, and Coltin Oehme, right, are building the welding booth additions at CTEC.

FSCC is responding to students interested in welding.

Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), Southeast Kansas Career and Technical Education Center of Crawford County (CTEC) and area businesses have banded together to prepare for the fall semester increase of students interested in welding, according to Kassie Fugate-Cate, Director of Strategic Communications and Student Activities at FSCC.

FSCC’s Welding, Construction Trades, Masonry, and HVAC programs are located in Pittsburg.

Enrollment from Crawford County high school students is approximately 43 students, which made the expansion necessary.

CTEC will be adding five new welding booths to the 11 that already exists to accommodate the increase in enrollment.

FSCC masonry students are in the midst of building the cinder block booths, while Nutter Electric, Garland, is providing the necessary electrical upgrades, and the college is supplying the welding equipment.

Potential industry donors have been identified who may be willing to donate equipment for the new booth spaces as well.

Kris Mengarelli, the Director of FSCC CTEC says:  “It is exciting to see our enrollment increase, giving our students the opportunity to learn a trade in high need jobs.  This spring, we have been approached with more job openings than ever before from industry partners and have had more students take the certification test.  CTEC is an incredible partnership between high schools, FSCC, industry partners and generous donors and we are excited to continue to work together to benefit students in Crawford County.”

Mercy Hospital, Submitted

Construction Begins on Mercy Hospice Memorial Park

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A tranquil space for comfort, healing, and peace to remember loved ones

 

The forms were set and the concrete poured, now the Mercy Hospice Memorial Park located within Fort Scott’s Riverfront Park is taking shape.

 

“Following a year of planning and coordination of the City of Fort Scott, the Bourbon County Riverfront Authority, and many volunteers who are donating their time, we are able to see this lovely place become reality,” said Tabitha Stults, Mercy Home Health, and Hospice community relations coordinator. “We envision families and friends using this shady patio as a place for comfort, healing, and peace as they remember their loved ones.”

 

The tranquil space is designed to memorialize loved ones who received cared from Mercy Hospice. The 10-foot circular brick patio will feature two iron benches and a brick sitting area. The project is funded by Mercy Hospice.

 

Once the bricks are laid and the memorial park project is complete, individuals may engrave a loved one’s name on a brick for a nominal fee that will cover the cost of the engraving.

 

“We are so grateful for the help of so many people who understand the purpose of this project and appreciate their efforts to complete the plan,” Stults added.

 

To learn more about Mercy Hospice, services provided by hospice, and the Mercy Hospice Memorial Park, call Tabitha Stults at 620-223-8060.

 

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.

 

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Submitted

Woodson County Joins K-State Southwind District

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Woodson County Extension Council and Woodson County Commissioners have recently voted to join the Southwind Extension District. Woodson County and the Southwind Extension District will be working over the next several weeks to complete requirements for Woodson County to become a part of the district. This merger, effective July 1, 2018, will provide expertise of additional specialized agents in Woodson County. At the same time, personnel in Woodson County will have access to more resources and support as they work together with Southwind District faculty and staff on programs and activities. Extension programming improves the lives of people by providing educational programs related to agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth programs and community development backed by the power of applied research from Kansas State University.

 

“On behalf of the Southwind District Board of Directors, I would like to welcome Woodson County to the District. We are proud to be able to help expand the availability of K-State Research & Extension programming to our neighbors. As well, the addition of new ideas and fresh viewpoints can only improve extension services for the entire district. This is an exciting time for extension in Southeast Kansas!” says Kathy Brazle, Chairman, Southwind District Board of Directors.

 

In 1991, the Kansas Legislature passed an act permitting two or more County Extension Councils to join and form an extension district. The Extension District Law was designed for efficient and effective programming. In 2010, the Extension Councils Executive Boards and the County Commissioners in Neosho and Allen Counties passed county resolutions to form Southwind Extension District. Bourbon County was added in 2011, and Woodson County will now sign an agreement with the Southwind Extension Board. By joining the Southwind District, Woodson County residents will now have access to 8 agents from all four counties of the expanded district, who offer programming in the areas of Community Development, Forage and Livestock Production, Crop Production, Horticulture, 4-H Youth Development, Financial Management, Adult Development and Aging, and Nutrition, Health, and Food Safety.

 

“Woodson County residents need a sustainable extension program that improves the lives of our citizens,” according to Jay Weseloh, Woodson County Extension Board Chair. “Joining the Southwind District allows us to expand our programming and reach more people without creating a significant financial burden on our taxpayers.”

 

Southwind Extension District relies on strong local governance. Extension programs are fiscally-responsible entities that are managed by ordinary citizens who care about making their counties a better place to live. Each county in the extension district is represented by four district governing board members. After initial appointment by their county commissioners in Woodson County, district board members will be elected during fall elections of the alternating odd-numbered years for a four-year term.

 

“Board members, faculty, and staff are excited about the opportunities of merging together to create a stronger extension district that will be better poised to meet the needs of residents,” concludes Carla Nemecek, Director of Southwind District. “We look forward to working in Woodson County.”

Bourbon County, Government, Submitted

Bourbon County Commission Agenda May 22

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: May 22nd, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:45-11:00-Cutler and Coyan fence viewing

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

Executive Session-Privileged in the Attorney/Client relationship

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-2:00-Southwind Extension-Carla Nemeck

2:00-2:30-Discuss use of Sheriff/SEKRCC office space

2:30-3:00-Employee Handbook

3:00-3:15-Update on NRP/Meeting times/letters/maps

3:15-3:30-Walking trails-Industrial Park

3:30-3:45-Sale or disposition of County properties

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Fort Scott

Sirens Today

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The sirens that went off about 12:45 p.m.today (May 21) were because city crews were working on some equipment, accidentally setting them off, said a city employee.

Karen Gazaway, a clerk with the City of Fort Scott, said she spoke with Fire Chief Paul Ballou, who said there was “nothing for anyone to be worried about.”

Ballou said some city employees were working on equipment when the siren went off.

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Cutting Down Bureaucracy For Kansas Businesses

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Governor Jeff Colyer Signs Regulatory Reform Bill into Law

 

TOPEKA- Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. announced today the signing of House Bill No. 2280 at a ceremony in Shawnee County. The bill is designed to cut down on bureaucratic red tape by reforming the regulatory process in Kansas.

“Currently we have a system that puts the burden on those being impacted by any changes to the rules. That simply isn’t right,” said the Governor. “The burden should be on the government to prove why new rules and regulations are necessary. We want to make it perfectly clear that Kansas is open for business.”

Governor Colyer was joined at the ceremony by Ron Seeber, President, and CEO of Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, and Renew Kansas, who remarked that “State and federal regulations carry the full force and effect of law. This bill will help to ensure a more open and accurate process in agency rule-making in our state. This is good policy for Kansas Agribusiness and our state as a whole.”

“Soybean farmers operate in heavily-regulated industries and while we agree that regulations may serve a sound purpose, the cost to comply can be high,” said Kansas Soybean Association President Lucan Heinen, “The KSA feels that HB 2280 could reduce the cost of doing business which should translate into higher prices for grain or lower prices for inputs for farmers.”

Also praising the bill was Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb saying “It is important for Kansas to have a sound regulatory environment, but excessive state agency overreach can cripple a business’ ability to grow and our state’s economy to thrive. By requiring a thorough economic impact analysis and strengthening legislative oversight of the process, this new law provides a common-sense balance of ensuring Kansans are safe and protecting Kansas businesses against burdensome rules and regulations.”

This marks the final bill presented to Governor Colyer in the 2018 legislative session. The Governor signed 118 bills into law this session including 1 with line-item vetoes.

 

Government, Kansas, Submitted

DCF Reforms Programs

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DCF Launches Online Dashboard to Increase Transparency

Dashboard displays reforms, initiatives and agency-wide goals

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce the rollout of an online, interactive dashboard. The DCF Reforms and Initiatives Dashboard demonstrates reforms and initiatives for each program area and region, as well as agency-wide goals. Additionally, the webpage illustrates progress, allowing the public to track DCF efforts online.

“Our agency exists to serve Kansans, and we want to clearly demonstrate to the public the work being done,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel. “This is just another step we are taking to be more transparent and accountable to the public.”

For the past six months, Secretary Meier-Hummel has been working diligently with each program and DCF Regions to identify the current projects, as well as goals and initiatives to be implemented on the dashboard.

“I am thrilled that Secretary Meier-Hummel has implemented this dashboard. We want to be the most open administration in the history of Kansas,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “This dashboard increases transparency by creating a one-stop-shop for Kansans to see the work being done by the agency.”

The progress of each initiative will be measured by the length of the project, compared to the action steps that have already taken place to complete the project. Some of the identified initiatives will be ongoing projects and will be noted as such. The dashboard will be updated the last Friday of every month. Once a project has been completed, new goals or reforms will be identified.

“We have to continuously be looking forward and tracking our progress. This will allow us to continue to make significant movements, and will ultimately improve the way we serve the children and families of Kansas,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel. “I hope that the public will utilize this dashboard to keep us accountable, and stay up-to-date on what is happening at our agency.”

The DCF Reforms and Initiatives Dashboard can be found online here. You can also find it at www.dcf.ks.gov, on the right-hand side, in the Quick Links section as Agency Dashboard.

Obituary

Obituary For Barbara Ivey

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Barbara Rose Ivey, age 83, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.
She was born February 12, 1935, in Frederick, Oklahoma, the daughter of James Davis and Josephine Harmon Davis.
Barbara married Loyd Alton Ivey on July 31, 1952, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.  Barbara had worked in customer service for Ennis Business Forms for thirty years.
She enjoyed spending time with her family especially at Christmas.  She enjoyed writing poetry, tending her flowers and working on art projects.  She was an active resident of Ft. Scott Manor where she liked to play Bingo and participate in various activities.  She also served as President of the Resident’s Advisory Board.  She was a member of the Community Christian Church. 
 
Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Button, of Ft. Scott and a son, John Ivey, and wife, Teresa, of Wichita, Kansas; twelve grandchildren, Stacey Schramm, Jessica Bables, Kelley Tucker, Kimberly Coon, Kristy Sickles, Kaylee Button, Scotty Button, Brandon Ivey, Justin Ivey, Crystal Steinkirchner, Dylan Ivey and Quintin Ivey and twenty-six great-grandchildren.  Her husband, Loyd Ivey, Sr., preceded her in death on April 28, 2009.  She was also preceded in death by three sons, Loyd Ivey, Jr., Randy Ivey and Roger Ivey, who died in infancy; two great-grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters.
 
Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 23rd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:30 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.