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Monthly Archives: February 2019
What’s Happening in Fort Scott by the Chamber of Commerce
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Thursday, February 21, 2019
8:00 am
This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Fort Scott Lofts
Location: 8 E. 1st St.
For more information about Fort Scott lofts, click here
Upcoming Coffees:
February 28 – Adventures in Mission
March 7 – Bourbon County Arts Council (Annual Exhibit)
March 14th – Tri-Valley Development Services
March 21 – Briggs Auto of Fort Scott
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Pick of the Week
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New Fort Scott Business: Ad Astra Roasters
Patrick Whalen and his wife, Kristi, and moved to Fort Scott in 2017. Patrick Whalen helped found and serves as the headmaster for St. Martin’s Academy, a new boy’s Catholic boarding school.
An interest in good tasting coffee turned into a coffee roasting business for the couple, called Ad Astra Roasters.
“As far as I can tell we are the only roasters in Fort Scott,” Whalen said. “We just obtained our license from the state and are excited to be doing business with a couple local coffee shops, Common Ground in Fort Scott and Root in Pittsburg.”
“I had served on active duty as a Marine for about a decade and both my wife Kristi, and I had done a lot of traveling where we developed a taste for geographically specific coffees and an interest in coffee cultures from around the world,” Whalen said.
“As a result of how hard it is to find excellent coffee, I have been roasting coffee for my own family for several years,” Whalen said.
“When we moved to Fort Scott and decided to settle down, we thought we’d share our beans with friends and colleagues etc.,” he said. ” We received great feedback and in 2018 thought we’d try to sell a little bit on the side.”
“We worked with some close friends to build bigger roasters and with the support of the Boiler Room Brewhaus (another local business) and the Common Ground Coffee Shop, were soon selling directly to folks in the community.”
Currently, Ad Astra Roasters is based out of the Whalen home on Main Street in Fort Scott.
“We have turned a section of our basement into the roastery and have our food processing and wholesale license,” he said.
Their beans are from a variety of different bean importing companies around the country who have a reputation for ethical sourcing and business practices, he said.
“Many of our offerings are organic and fair trade certified, and frequently we can tell you the name of the specific farm or cooperative from which the beans come,” Whalen said. “Most of the coffee we roast is what’s called a single origin, meaning that it is not a blend from all over the world, but represents the specific geography and climate of where it was farmed.”
The Whalens currently sell bags of coffee at Common Ground, The Boiler Room Brewhaus, and at Root Coffeehouse in Pittsburg or online through their website www.adastraroasters.com.
“Both Root and Common Ground serve our coffee by the cup, and we’re always happy to provide data on the coffee and brewing tips to make it the best possible cup of joe,” he said.
The Whalen’s can be contacted at 949-331-5506 or at [email protected].
Updated Agenda For Tonight’s Fort Scott City Commission Meeting
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The agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission meeting at city hall, 123 S. Main, February 19 at 6 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 5th, 2019.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1232-A totaling $505,644.58.
VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen) –
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PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:00 p.m. Final Closeout Public Hearing – 124 E Wall – CDBG Grant – Approval for Mayor to sign closing documents
VII. CONSIDERATION:
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Discussion on Fire Trucks
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Consideration to solicit RFP’s for new life insurance benefit offering
VIII. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates:
Ambulance Update: Dave Bruner
Consideration of Bids – 16 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Health Care Update: Dave Martin
Finance Update: Rhonda Dunn
Legislative Update: Robert Uhler
- Commission:
- City Attorney:
- City Manager:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO
(see below justification)
DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN
MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
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Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
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Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
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Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
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Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
U.S. Senator Moran Listening Tour Today
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Feb. 19
Late winter livestock feeding
During late winter, many cow herds begin the calving season. This is also the time that our feed resources may begin to become limited. Additionally, in southeast Kansas, we get the occasional severe winter storm. As our farmers and ranchers know, this winter has been particularly cold, muddy and icy. Do we really know if our hay and other feeds can accurately meet the nutritional needs of our cattle?
The best way to be sure that your hay and other feeds are adequate is to send a sample to a lab for testing. Your local extension office is a great place to go for help in this process. Your Southwind Extension District Offices can loan you a hay probe for use in testing hay bales. We can also help with sending samples to the lab and with explaining the lab results, once returned to you.
Just before a winter storm approaches and throughout severe weather, cattle should have the opportunity to eat your better quality feeds. This increase in nutrition will help them persist until the weather improves. After the bad weather passes, you can return to feeding your regular feeds. Testing is the best way to know which feeds are of higher quality.
Additionally, better quality feeds can be used for heifers. Generally speaking, young growing heifers need a higher plain of nutrition for growth and development. Older dry or open cows can be fed your average quality feeds.
For more information call me, Christopher Petty, at 620-223-3720, that’s 620-223-3720
Blues and BBQ March 9
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Senator Hilderbrand’s Communication Week Five
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How To Learn a Foreign Language: Host An International Student
Learning a foreign language,enjoying the advancement of educational and cultural opportunities, supporing volunteerism, enriching someone’s life while enriching your own, these are all the benefits of hosting an international student, according to Janice Rake, coordinator for Greenheart Exchange Program.
Greenheart Exchange Program students seeking host families for the next school year are beginning to apply now, Rake said.
“The students are happy to live in any type of family scenario: family with or without children, empty nesters, retired couple, single person…..it does not matter,” said Rake. “They are just excited to come to America and have the opportunity. Most want to come for the entire school year but some come for only one semester.”
Host families complete an application process which includes a home visit, references and background checks.
“My goal is always to find a good family/student match so it is a positive experience for all involved,” she said.
“The host family provides a bed and place to study, three meals a day and needed transportation as the students are not allowed to drive,” Rake said.
The students bring spending money for personal spending, shopping and entertainment. Greenheart Exchange secures the VISA, arranges the arrival and departures flights, provides health insurance and monitors throughout the year. The student agrees to follow the guidelines of the program. Greenheart requires each student to fulfill some volunteer or community service work and expects high academic and personal standards.
Rake checks in and monitors the students progress throughout the school year, she said.
Included below are several of the students that have applied so far.
Olga, 16, from Poland, is an “A” student, who will come the first semester, enjoys reading, scouting, volunteering with a children’s group, drama, art, sports, nature, and travel. She has a fear of dogs until she gets to know them. She loves philosophy. Olga attends church sometimes.
Hannes, 16, from Germany, is an “A” student. He loves camping and motocross. His favorite classes are math, physics and PE. He likes sports but also enjoys baking. He works in a local grocery. Hannes attends church sometimes.
Alexandra, 16, from Germany, loves music, sings in choir, plays piano, likes archery, Taikwondo, biking and reading. She has a “B” average. She has a mild allergy to fur but this does not restrict her. She has a cat. She is a bit shy but sweet, friendly and open-minded. She attends church sometimes.
Oliver, 15, from the Czech Republic, is a “B” student. He plays piano and enjoys running, movies and music. He attends church sometimes.
Rebecca, 16, from Switzerland, is a “B+” student. She volunteers with a children’s group, plays guitar, enjoys swimming, reading and cooking. Her favorite subjects are Latin, French, geography and math.
Nicolas, 15, from Spain, is a”B+” student. He enjoys writing, movies,video games, cooking, He loves dogs but is allergic to cats. He wants to study journalism and be a writer. His religion is Catholic and would attend church sometimes.
If interested in hosting or want more information, please contact Janice Rake, Greenheart Coordinator, [email protected] or call 620-473-0646. Information can be found at the website greenheartexchange.org.
Janice Rake is a former teacher and retired postmaster who returned to education when she retired and moved to Redfield.
She was a substitute teacher at Uniontown where she hosted a high school exchange student, Carol, from Brazil.
“I fell in love with Carol and the Greenheart student exchange program,” Rake said.
Since then she has hosted and placed 18 students at various area high schools.
“Every one has been a joy,” she said.
They have come from Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Albania, Vietnam, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
“The students have varied interests: sports, camping, scouts, art, photography, theater, writing, literature, robotics, music, cooking, travel, history, volunteerism, animal lovers,” she said. “They are mature, independent and enthusiastic about experiencing American school and culture and love sharing their culture. They offer diversity and expose our local students to a world outside their own.”
Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson
February 15, 2019
It may appear to be a slow week in the legislature: However, as you know, things aren’t always what they appear. The Senate and the House are doing a majority of the work in committees. It is an important part of the process. Committees study legislation. Conferees testify in person or send written testimony on bills being considered. The input can be critical because a committee will make a recommendation on a bill, often based on testimony. The committee may take no action on the bill, or to vote a bill out of committee favorably or unfavorably. After a bill passes out of committee, the majority leader decides if and when to bring a bill before the committee of the whole, all senators or all representatives of the respective chamber. There are other paths a bill could take in the legislature but this is the most common.
KPERS: This week the House passed a bill out of committee unfavorably. The bill would allow the Governor to re-amortization KPERS. The House Majority Leader brought the bill to the committee of the whole, it was debated and failed the next day on final action 36 Yes and 87 No. This action sent a clear message to the Governor, the House does not want to go into more debt for KPERS. The week before the Senate passed a bill requiring the KPERS payment be made without delay. Both chambers have sent strong messages. Hopefully, each chamber will support the others actions so that Kansas will not take on more debt and will not delay the KPERS payment.
Hearing on Property Tax Relief: The Senate Tax Committee heard from several conferees regarding property tax or a homestead freeze, SB 91. The bill would provide property tax relief for homeowners who are 65 years of age or older and do not have a mortgage on their home or for veterans who are at least 50% disabled. The value of the property must be less than $350,000 and a combined household income less than $50,000 per year. The bill would also allow renters to qualify for a homestead exemption. It is an attempt at addressing property tax increases for some of our most vulnerable. However, it does nothing to address seniors who are still paying on a mortgage or to address the high property tax increases the rest of Kansans are facing. There will be other ideas to regarding property tax as there are many legislators with a desire to address the issue.
Kansas Senate denounces New York’s Reproductive Health Act: Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1606 sends a clear message to New York State that Kansas denounces the recent legislation passed and celebrated by some of its legislators. New York allows third-trimester abortions, removes an abortion penal code, and allows non-physicians to commit abortion. The SCR passed the Senate on a vote of 27 to 13. I voted Yes. The SCR will now go to the House for debate, since it is a joint resolution. If it passes the House, copies will be sent to the Governor of New York and each member of the New York State Senate and State Assembly. Normally, it is not our concern how another state conducts business. However, this is a matter of life and death. Our founding fathers wrote of our natural rights including life and liberty. It is the duty of government to protect the natural rights of people.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Caryn Tyson
Kansas Senate, District 12
785.296.6838
Acting Secretary Norman Testifies at KanCare Oversight Hearing
Describes the system as sound but needing updates
TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Acting Secretary Lee A. Norman, M.D. testified during Friday’s Bethel Oversight Committee hearing on Kansas’s Medicaid program, Kancare. He stated that while the program should continue with improvements in several areas, the program itself is on the right track and valuable for Kansans.
“I liken the base of KanCare to the chassis of an automobile,” said Acting Secretary Norman. “If the car does not have a strong, well-built chassis, then it doesn’t matter how great the tires are that you put on it. The solid chassis for KanCare involves an updated IT system as well as the personnel to handle the amount of cases that come in, among other things,” said Norman.
“During my tenure as chief medical officer for the University of Kansas Health System I had great deal of experience working on KanCare issues. I saw firsthand that it is a system that is beneficial to Kansans. Like any large endeavor it has had its growing pains, but we have seen great improvements and we will continue to hone those areas to make sure it is effective for all KanCare members.”
Areas discussed by Dr. Norman and KDHE staff at the hearing included the transition to a new managed care organization (MCO), Aetna, improvements to the eligibility system and financial updates for the program.
KDHE, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the three MCOs for KanCare all provided testimony to the Bethel oversight committee which meets quarterly.