Monthly Archives: June 2019

Government, Kansas

DCF Expands Access to Child Care

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Kansas Department for Children and Families Expands Access to Child Care Program

Policy changes designed to help parents maintain employment

 

In a move to help Kansans find work and stay employed, Governor Laura Kelly today announced a new Kansas Department for Children and Families initiative that will expand access to child care assistance for Kansas families.

 

“Having access to quality child care is essential for parents to maintain employment,” Kelly said. “Those with lower incomes often struggle to afford quality child care. By expanding access to the program, more Kansas families can sustain employment or participate in meaningful training programs.”

 

DCF is making several policy changes to the program that will go into effect July 1. They include:

 

  • Reducing the minimum work hours per week to be eligible from 28 to 20, which will expand child-care access to more working  parents.
  • Expanding the program to participants of the GOALS employment and training program allowing families to access child-care assistance for job search activities. GOALS is specifically for parents who participate in the state’s food assistance program.
  • Using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF) to pay child-care costs for foster children. This new program will provide foster parents the added convenience of using an EBT card to pay for child care.

 

“We know that child-care costs can be an obstacle to employment for many of our low-income families,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “In Topeka for example, affordable child care is 21 percent of a family’s income for those at the top of the eligibility threshold (185% of federal poverty level). Our expectation is that families will actually be able to increase their earnings while having peace of mind knowing their children are being cared for in healthy environments.”

 

DCF estimates more than 3,000 Kansas children will benefit from these policy changes. The agency estimates spending more than $9 million in FY 2020 and nearly $14 million in FY2021 based on current caseload data.

 

“Helping our fellow Kansans find work, stay employed and receive a quality education are universal values,” Kelly said. “This is a first step in repairing the safety net that was pulled from vulnerable Kansans during the previous eight years.”

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Burke Street July 4th Americana: Parade and Food

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Burke Street Parade organizer Margaret Humphrey in the white, participates in a parade in years past. Submitted photo.

The community of Fort Scott is once again invited to the Burke Street Parade on July 4, to commemorate Independence Day in the U.S.

The parade is organized by people who live along the street on the city’s west side.

“We invite everyone,” Margaret Humphrey, one of the event’s organizers said. “This was started 37 years ago by myself, Susan Foster and Jill Gorman. Then Theresa Bahr helped with organizing after it became a bigger event. It was small and fun and we just continued every year. The crowd size varies depending on what day the 4th is on. We have walked in rain with small crowds–but if it is lightening we cancel.”

“It is always on the 4th of July at 10 a.m. unless it falls on a Sunday,” she said

“The little kids that were in the parade initially, have their children in it,” Humphrey said. “Phil Hammons and Jill Gorman lead with patriotic songs. We started singing after the  (Twin Towers during the terrorist strike in New York) fell–to promote patriotism.”

Frank Halsey is the traffic controller.

“This year Nate and Bailey Lyons will host the refreshments,” she said. “After the parade, we meet for cookies and drinks. We ask everyone to donate cookies.”

In 2018, Deb and Frank Halsey hosted the cookies and drinks under a tent on their lawn.
Burke Street residents offer food following the parade.

Humphrey finds someone to host with refreshments at their home each year and makes the informational fliers.

“Barb Albright now helps with distributing information,” Humphrey said.

“The best part of the event is seeing the children who have so much fun going up and down the street in their bikes, wagons, lawn mowers, with animals,” she said.

“People have asked about trucks, etc.(being in the parade) but our parade route is short and once the parade starts,  in seconds children are everywhere. It is a disorganized, organized parade.”

Government, Kansas

Frances Gorman Graves Nominated to Kansas Supreme Court

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Governor makes appointment to Supreme Court Nominating Commission

 

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the appointment of Frances Gorman Graves to the Supreme Court Nominating Commission.

 

“Frances’ leadership experience and years of involvement in communications, along with her rural Kansas perspective, will be valuable as the Supreme Court Nominating Commission does its work,” Kelly said. “We appreciate her willingness to serve and be part of this important process.”

 

The nine-member Supreme Court Nominating Commission is responsible for recommending qualified individuals for appointment to the Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals. Four of the members are non-attorneys appointed by the governor. The four appointees selected by the sitting governor each represent one congressional district in the state. Four others are attorneys selected by fellow attorneys in each of the congressional districts, with the chair of the commission an attorney elected by attorneys statewide.

 

Graves was appointed to a four-year term as one of the board’s four non-attorney members, and will serve starting on June 30. She’s currently the Assistant to the Director of Parsons Area Community Foundation. Previously, Graves was the Senior Media Researcher for Synoptos from 2012 to 2015, Adjunct Instructor at Labette Community College in Parsons from 2009 to 2012, Communications Coordinator at KU’s School of Business from 2008 to 2009, and Director of Strategic Communications for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office from 2007 to 2008. She and her family are farmers and ranchers in southeast Kansas.

 

Graves will assume the commission seat currently held by 2nd Congressional District non-attorney member Felita Kahrs of Topeka, who was appointed by Governor Sam Brownback.

 

Kelly will continue filling a significant number of vacancies in the coming months in her effort to rebuild Kansas, including new vacancies and other positions left unfilled by previous administrations.

 

Obituary

Obituary of Cleo Bloomfield

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Cleo Irma Bloomfield, age 93, a lifelong resident of Prescott, Kansas, passed away late Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born September 13, 1925, in Prescott, the daughter of Karl Ermel Allen and Alta May Phillips Allen.

Irma attended school in Prescott and graduated from the Prescott High School with the Class of 1943.  She later attended Pittsburg State University.

Irma married Russell Ellis Bloomfield on August 11, 1943, at the Prescott Baptist Church.  While Russell was serving with the Navy during World War II, Irma taught at a one room schoolhouse west of Prescott.  She later worked for thirteen and a half years as the kitchen supervisor for the Country View Nursing Home in Prescott.  She also served for several years as Prescott City Clerk.

  She was a long time member of the Prescott Baptist Church where in earlier years she taught Sunday School and organized Vacation Bible School.  She was an active member of the Prescott Community and volunteered her time with the annual Coal Center Days Festival.  She also faithfully volunteered for the Reach Out Food Pantry and commodity distribution.

She loved to cook.  Her popcorn balls were a favorite treat of many Prescott trick-or-treaters.  She also made hundreds of dozens of cookies for hunter’s safety courses and other community events.

Survivors include her three sons, Darrell Bloomfield and wife, Roberta, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Roger Bloomfield and Larry Bloomfield, both of Prescott; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren with one more on the way and two great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Her husband, Russell, preceded her in death on September 10, 2003.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Cleda Cannon and Margaret Roberts.

Rev. James Collins will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:30 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Reach Out Food Pantry and may be left in 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.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Garden Club Adds Beauty to Fort Scott

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The Bourbon County Garden Club 2019. Front, from left: Leah Lewis, Barb McCord, Cheryl Bloomfield, Deb Lust, Sharon Campbell; back row: Priscilla Sellers, Ronda Hassig, Judy Wallis, Clara Scholfield, Karen Billiard, Jan Hedges and Rita Emmerson.

The Bourbon County Garden Club beautifies the town of Fort Scott.

“We do the flower baskets downtown,” Deb Lust, spokesperson for the group told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees on June 20. “The city pays for them and we provide the labor.”

“We also do the three flower beds at the swimming pool and the planter in front of the city office,” she said.

“Barb McCord is the landscape architect,” Lust said.

There are several Kansas Master Gardeners in the club who are available to answer gardening questions from the public, she said.

Also available for questions is Krista Harding with the K-State Southwind Horticulture Agent, she said.

In years past, the club has organized The Secret Garden, a showcase for area gardeners.

“We need gardens for that,” Lust said, noting that task has become increasingly difficult.

The club meets the fourth Thursday of each month, except in the winter months.

“We encourage men and women to join us,” she said.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Independence Day At FSNHS

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Celebrate Independence Day with the Sights and Sounds of 1840’s Military Fireworks

FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Celebrate the anniversary of American independence with the sounds of cannon fire and homemade ice cream while honoring the service men and women who have defended the United States for the past 243 years. Thursday, July 4, Fort Scott National Historic Site will have artillery demonstrations twice each hour from noon until 4 pm. At 3:30 pm, we will pay tribute to the nation’s founders followed by a flag retreat at 4 pm.

The celebration continues on July 6 and 7 as you discover the rich history and significance of the fort. Experience frontier cooking demonstrations, play period games, see mock artillery and weapons drills, and explore the prairie grass as the fort comes to life before your eyes.

Thursday, July 4

12:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

12:30 pm – Homemade Ice Cream

1:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:30 pm – Tribute to the Founders

4:00 pm – Artillery Salute and Flag Retreat

Saturday, July 6

10:00 am – Prairie Walk

12:00 pm – An Arm and a Leg: 1840s Medical Program

1:00-3:00 pm – Let the Games Begin-Historic Games station

3:00-4:30 pm – Going Green: Historic Gardens station

4:00 – Flag Retreat

Sunday July 7

11:00 am – Guided Tour of the Fort

12:00 pm – A Hearty Grip

1:00 pm – Guided Tour

2:00 pm – Democracy Run Wild

3:00 pm – The Price of War

4:00 pm – Flag Retreat

Visitors and local residents are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310.

www.nps.gov/fosc

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a fee free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as, the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site, please call the park at 620-223-0310, visit us at www.nps.gov/fosc, on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/FortScottNPS, and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Health Care

Chamber Coffee: Integrity Home Care and Hospice

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Co-Hosted by:

Integrity Home Care & Hospice
AND Integrity’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” team
Location:

902 S. Horton
Thursday, June 27, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
There will be a bake sale featuring breakfast foods, along with regular coffee refreshments.
Visit Integrity’s website by clicking HERE.
Visit the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” (Pittsburg) website HERE.


Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
July 4 – No Coffee Program due to holiday
July 11 – Open – Call to schedule
July 18 – Bourbon County Fair
July 25 – Bourbon County E-Community @ Sleep Inn
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

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Due to a Fort Scott Post 25 baseball game on July 1, July’s general meeting is moved to Tuesday, July 2 at 7 pm. Come to Laroche Field and support your Post 25 baseball team.

 

The new Legion year begins July 1. You will be receiving renewal notices in the mail. Your support for the American Legion and it’s programs are very important to our Veterans. The American Legion has been instrumental in pushing two congressional bills relating to Agent Orange and Blue Water Navy and the Legion Act to make all Veterans who served since December 7, 1941 eligible to join the American Legion.  Without your membership, the American Legion would not have had the legislative clout necessary to have these bills heard in Congress.

 

Your support for the Fort Scott American Legion baseball team is needed. This is our 1st Legion baseball team in several years and we are literally starting from scratch on equipment. Myra and I will match $1.00 for every $10.00 donation. Our fundraising goal is $3,000. Registration, insurance, baseballs and other incidentals are expensive.

 

Our goal in Fort Scott is to build an American Legion baseball program based on integrity and develop young men of character for our community. and our nation.

 

Please mail your donation for the Fort Scott American Legion baseball team to

 

American Legion Post 25

PO Box 25

Fort Scott, Ks. 66701

 

You can make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/fort-scott-american-legion-baseball/donate/?upsell=cpgn_share.

 

Call me at 620-215-1688 to arrange local pick up of your donation.

 

 Upcoming Events

 

June 26 @ 6 pm.  American Legion Post 25 baseball team versus Columbus at LaRoche Complex.

 

June 28. Graveside services with military honors for Post 25 Legionnaire David Dwight Bishard will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 28th at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott. Friends and family will meet at the cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.

 

July 1 @ 6 pm.  American Legion Post 25 baseball team versus Pittsburg at LaRoche Complex.

July 2. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

 

July 2. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Tonight’s meeting will include the installation of Post Officers for the 2019 – 20 Legion year. 2nd District Commander Marri Krupco will conduct the installation.

 

July 4. Post 25 Hot Dog giveaway at Fort Scott Wal-Mart from 11 am – 2pm or the dogs run out.  Stop by for a free hot dog, bag of chips and a drink.

 

July 8 @ 6 pm.  American Legion Post 25 baseball team versus Iola at Iola.

July 11. American Legion Post 25 Color Guard meets in Memorial Hall at 7 pm this month. The Post 25 Color Guard is open to all Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members.

 

July 15 @ 6 pm.  American Legion Post 25 baseball team versus Iola at LaRoche Complex.

July 19 – 21. American Legion Zone Tournament. Location to TBA.

July 31 – August 4. American Legion State Tournament. Location to TBA.

 

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

VA Shuttle July Schedule

 

Mondays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat. The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders

 

Tuesdays. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat. The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders

 

Wednesdays. Fort Scott/Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat. The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, and Louisburg  to pick up scheduled riders

 

The shuttle will make stops in Pleasanton, Louisburg and Ottawa to pick up scheduled riders.

 

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]