Monthly Archives: September 2019

Airport, Government, Kansas

Drones Used in KDOT Airport Inspections

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KDOT leads airport inspections utilizing UAS

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Division of Aviation has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test flights at Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) beginning today.

Planned inspection missions include obstruction analysis, foreign object detection, wildlife hazard management and airfield emergency response. FAA authorization was received through partnership with the Wichita Airport Authority, Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus and George Butler Associates (GBA).

Operations will focus on UAS integration to increase Kansas airport efficiency by condensing the process time in half and improving accuracy. The authorization also includes a precedent-setting FAA waiver to conduct night operations at the airport and allows KDOT to provide the FAA much-needed data on UAS integration in complex airspace.

The operations are part of the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).

“We identified KDOT’s involvement with IPP as a prime opportunity to investigate the effectiveness and operations procedures necessary to implement safe UAS operations at ICT,” said Victor White, Executive Director of Airports for the Wichita Airport Authority.

“This FAA approval will significantly improve airport efficiency and safety,” said KDOT Director of Aviation Bob Brock. “We look forward to expanding Kansas airport inspection capabilities across the state and developing new capabilities to drive industry growth.”

K-State Polytechnic and GBA are part of a joint operations crew to establish procedures and operating methodology for the airport operations personnel.

“Incorporating UAS into a range of airport lines of business, such as detecting foreign object debris on runways, defective airfield markings and the integrity of the security infrastructure may be done more effectively and efficiently than current methodologies,” said Kurt Carraway, UAS Executive Director of the Applied Aviation Research Center at K-State Polytechnic. “We look forward to exploring these use cases to further enhance safe airport operations.”

“This authorization will allow us to provide data-driven operations in real-world operating environments,” said Ben Linder, GBA’s Advanced Robotics and Remote Sensing Group Leader.

IPP involves nine regional efforts to conduct advanced UAS operations to yield sufficient data for rule making that will result in access to new technologies for the nation.

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Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Friday Night Free Concert: The Christian Strings

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This Friday night, September 20th, the Christian Strings from Mound City will perform at the downtown Heritage Park Pavilion.

The concert will include old gospel pieces as well as a few
old American bluegrass and patriotic sings.

The group includes 10 or 11 women who play dulcimers and a couple of women playing guitars.

This is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

Since space is limited, please bring a lawn chair.

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Minutes of Sept. 3

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The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 3rd, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell and Nichols were present with Mayor Parker presiding.

INVOCATION: Pastor Ian Johnson, Community Christian Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Robert Uhler, Rachel Pruitt, Traci Reed, Lindsay Watts, Deb McCoy, Clayton Miller, Travis Shelton, Deb Needleman, Dave Bruner, Janet Davis, Dana Davis, Geoff Clark, Sky Clark, Nancy Van Etten, Kate Sweetser, Jerald Mitchell, Rhonda Dunn, John Bartelsmeyer, Patrick Wood, Colleen Murrin, Jean Reeves, Ian Johnson, Carson Felt, Carla Felt, Pete Allen, Kevin Allen, Max Fanning, Chip Moore, Kevin Russell, and representing the press, Jason Silvers of the Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 20th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1245-A totaling $178,037.95.

Mitchell moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – Nancy Van Etten – She passed out information to the Commission regarding Lake Fort Scott. She said she was a lake property owner. They had a lake meeting in August with about 90 people there. That’s a lot of involvement in our community with City and County people both there. Some of the issues are being addressed regarding safety on the lake and the road condition issues. I think tonight you will be voting on the formation of a Lake Advisory Committee. Those are good steps. The biggest concern is the proposed condominiums on 195th Street. Most people are not in agreement with this development. People started asking where the zoning ordinances are. Becky Howard was here recently and visited with the Commission. She has been doing research and attending County Commission meetings and she has also been keeping Robert (Uhler) updated. She handed them an ordinance that specifically deals with Lake Fort Scott. This ordinance sounds like the City is responsible for zoning at the lake. She thinks the ordinance is still in effect.

Mayor Parker thanked her for her comments.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Bartelsmeyer moved to open the Budget Public Hearing at 6:07 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:07 P.M.

6:00 p.m. – 2020 Budget Hearing – Adoption of 2020 Budget – Rhonda Dunn, Finance Director, informed the Commission that the budget for 2020 is before them for final approval.

There were no comments from the audience.

Nichols moved to approve the 2020 budget. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED 2020 BUDGET.

Bartelsmeyer moved to close the Budget Public Hearing at 6:08 p.m. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:08 P.M.

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:17 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:17 P.M.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 16-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 505 S. Ransom Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that the home owner is actually demolishing this structure by himself. It is taking him quite a while to do this. He asked for permission to give him 30 days to either finish demolishing the house or for the City to demolish it.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to give the home owner 30 days to either finish demolishing the structure or the City will take bids to demolish it. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 16-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 505 S. RANSOM STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 17-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1012 S. Crawford Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that the City has been working on this structure to have improvements made on it since 2008. There is no one living there. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove the structure.

Tommy More said that he is the owner of the house. He is working with a group out of Kansas City to repair or remove this structure. He has had some family issues with his inlaws passing away so that has slowed the repairs down.

Mitchell moved to give the property owner 30 days to either finish repairing the structure or demolish it. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 17-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 1012 S. CRAWFORD STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 18-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 517 S. Clark Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure is in bad need of repair. He has had no contact from the property owner regarding this structure. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove this structure.

Nichols moved to give the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove this structure and accessory structure. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 18-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 517 S. CLARK STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 19-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 706 S. Clark Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure is in bad need of repair. He has had no contact from the property owner regarding this structure. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove this structure.

Mitchell moved to give the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove this structure and accessory structure. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 19-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 706 S. CLARK STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

Bartelsmeyer moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:26 P.M.

Update on 15 S. Crawford – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this house has been before them before and the owners were present and asked for time to repair the structure. The structure has not had much progress done on it. His recommendation is to proceed with the demolition of this structure.

Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:57 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

City Manager said that we will visit with our attorney also about this before the demolition is awarded.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Selection of Voting and Alternate Delegates for League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Voting Meeting – 3 voting – 3 alternate – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commissioners of the staff that would be attending the League Annual Meeting. She said that voting and alternate delegates for the Annual League of Kansas Municipalities meeting need to be selected:

Voting Alternate

Dave Martin Rachel Pruitt

Diane Clay Robert Uhler

Deb Needleman Travis Shelton

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the voting and alternate delegates. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED VOTING AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES FOR THE ANNUAL LEAGUE OF KANSAS MUNICIPALITIES MEETING TO BE HELD OCTOBER 13-14, 2019.

  1. Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee – Creation of Ordinance No. 3550 – City Manager informed the Commission that this ordinance is for the formation of a Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee. One suggestion made by Robert Uhler is that one of the five members who are residents of Lake Fort Scott be that each type of lake owner be represented – full time resident and a part time resident and one resident on each side of the lake. He and Robert have a conference call set up with another city that has a lake with some of the same issues. This will hopefully get everyone to the same table and discuss issues. Letters of interest will be taken for this committee and be brought back before the Commission.

Nichols moved to approve Ordinance No. 3550. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO 3550 ESTABLISHING A LAKE FORT SCOTT ADVISORY BOARD, PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OF THE MEMBERS THEREOF, AND DEFINING THEIR DUTIES.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt – Rachel informed the Board that she is presenting a draft of a program she has presented to the County. This is a Lease to Purchase Property Tax Relief Program. The mission of the project is to help business owners transition into paying the full amount of property taxes. This will be presented to USD 234, Fort Scott Community College, and again to Bourbon County. This program was developed with instead of zero abatement of property taxes, it would start at year one with 10% of the property owner paying the property taxes and then year two it would be 20% and so forth. The City of Parsons has a similar program in effect. This program would be only for commercial or industrial property and not residential. It would be to assist businesses wanting to expand. More information will be forthcoming. This is just for City businesses.

  1. City Commission:

Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.

Mitchell – Thanked Nancy for her research and comments tonight and said she is glad to serve on the Lake Advisory Committee as the City’s representative.

Nichols – Remarked that despite all of various opinions in the community, we should look beyond that and look at the various communities with the mass shootings and the hurricane in the Bahamas, and that puts our community in a good place. It is a very good place to live. We should assist them and keep them in our prayers.

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Parker – Remarked that even though there are issues going on in our town, we do not have any major catastrophes going on. We are truly blessed.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Parks in Historic District – City Manager said that there has been some problems with our City parks in the historic district with loitering and littering. He had an ordinance drafted which will prohibit the Heritage Park at 1st and Main and Riverfront Park to both be alcohol free and smoke free. When an event occurs there and alcohol is requested, it can be waived for that event. Riverfront Park has also requested this be in place. This will come before them for consideration at the next meeting.

  1. Resignation of Finance Director – City Manager said that Rhonda Dunn has given her resignation as Finance Director. She will be going to work for E3 and be their accountant. The City wishes her the best. She will continue to work through the month of September for the City.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:42 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on September 17th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for Sept. 17

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Virgil Peck, First Church of the Nazarene

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Laura Ingalls Wilder Proclamation

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 3rd, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1246-A totaling $260,336.14.

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – Sign at 120 E. Wall – Stutesman Action Realty

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College – Request to close 1000 block of Main Street – September 21st, 2019 in conjunction with 100th Anniversary of FSCC

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of 4 way stop at 6th & Margrave

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:
  1. Commission:
  1. 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:

  • Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Opinion

Different Sides of the Same Coin by Pastor Jimmy Tucker

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The Bottom Line by Jimmy Tucker

 

When I was in high school I decided it would be cool to fill a huge glass jar with pennies; I eventually filled it full. I also started saving change out of my pocket and dropping it into another container. When I took these coins to the bank, it made a substantial deposit. There may have been some collectible coins in those jars, but I wasn’t interested enough to examine all of them in the hope of finding one that was valuable. However, a real coin collector would have looked diligently. Although I’m not interested in coins, I am interested in something more valuable — the “pearl of great value.” Matthew 13:45-46 NLT: “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!” 

The “pearl of great value” is the message of the gospel of salvation. When an interested person hears the gospel and realizes its great value, he immediately takes God up on His offer. God offers eternal life to those who believe in His only begotten Son and follow His teaching. Christ Jesus teaches us to repent of our sins and turn to God. There’s two sides to a coin, and in the message of the gospel there’s two commands in one. Jesus said, “You will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God” (Luke 13:3 NLT). There’s no turning to God without repentance. You can’t have one without the other because they’re like the two sides of a coin.

Repenting of sins is not a politically-correct sermon topic these days. A pastor is constantly under pressure to not offend people. But we have a mandate to preach the gospel message which includes repentance. People don’t like to hear that they need to repent of their sins and turn to God. Believers who practice sin may be socially acceptable, but God says they will not inherit God’s Kingdom. “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people — none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9,10 NLT).

Repentance is turning away from sin and living for God with all your heart. “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you” (Matthew 15:19,20 NLT). Those who think they can repeat the “sinner’s prayer” and be ready for heaven, but continue to live for themselves and enjoy the pleasures of sin, are deceived.

Jesus came as God’s remedy for sin and to make forgiveness possible to all who believe in Him. Those who believe in and know Him will follow His teaching. The fallen sinful nature is to be replaced with His divine love nature. “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith” (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT).  Are you interested in eternal life? Then consider your two choices: eternal life in heaven or eternal death in hell. Don’t procrastinate in making your decision, because if you wait too long you’re choosing hell by default.

The Bottom Line: What would you do with a valuable coin? Store it in a jar until you die, or cash it in for what it’s worth?

Pastor Jimmy Tucker

(620) 223-1483

Diamond Community Church

2591 Jayhawk Road

Fort Scott, KS

Worship 10:45 a.m.

Opinion

What Do You See? By Pastor James Collins

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Pastor James Collins

What Do You See?

“…For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b

My nine-year-old son, John, has quite an imagination. He loves to build things with Lego bricks. The other night he said, “Look at this rocket ship I built.” He held up what looked like a square glob of tiny, multicolored, plastic bricks. To me, it looked more like a toaster than a rocket ship.

John spends hours in his room playing with Legos. He builds everything from tractors to towers, from cars to castles, from submarines to space stations. He has quite an imagination.

When I look at those toy plastic bricks, I see toy plastic bricks. When John looks at them, he sees knights slaying dragons, airplanes flying across the sky, and heroes on a jungle quest. In his imagination, Legos are not Legos at all. They are robots, Batmobiles, and skyscrapers.

What people see in their minds and what they see outside are two different things.

Not too long ago, John saved his money to buy a new Lego set. He saved allowance, birthday, and Christmas money. When he had enough for the set he wanted, I took him to Walmart.

As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed a family sitting in an old station wagon. The father sat on the hood. He held a cardboard sign that read, “WILL WORK FOR FOOD.”

The station wagon looked to be on its last leg. The family inside looked dirty and disheveled. They appeared to be living in their car.

I looked over and noticed John was staring at the family. Neither one of us said anything.

We went inside and made our way back to the toy aisle, but John didn’t seem interested in Legos. He looked up and asked, “Can I use my money to buy those people some food?” I choked back tears and answered, “Sure.” John said, “I can’t wait to tell them about Jesus.”

There was an excitement in our steps as we filled up a cart with groceries. We hurried through the checkout, loaded up our car, and drove to the end of the parking lot. John leaned out the window with two bags of groceries, and said, “Sir, I want to give you some food.” The man put down his sign, took the groceries, and said, “Thank you.” John said, “You are welcome, and Jesus loves you.”

To tell the truth, most likely, I would not have noticed the needy family in the station wagon. I am proud of my son. He sees things that I miss.

What people see in their minds and what they see outside are two different things.

We need to see people as God sees them.

The point is: God looks at people differently than you and I look at people. We look at people on the outside. God looks at the heart. It doesn’t matter if you are freshly bathed and wearing a three-piece suit, or dirty wearing a t-shirt, and torn jeans, God looks at your heart.

The Bible says that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. God loves everyone, but all have sinned, and come short of His glory. Every person we meet is lost without Jesus. The only cure for the sin-sick heart is the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Christ, even people who look nice on the outside go to hell.

When you look at people, what do you see?

Do you see somebody who needs Jesus?

Tell somebody about Him today.

James Collins is pastor of Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. He can be reached by email at [email protected].

Bourbon County, Government

No Water Line Break, No Boil Order For Uniontown.

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Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

This morning workers were doing maintenance of a water pump in Redfield and air got into it, Uniontown Clerk Sally Johnson said.

“They flushed the line and everything is OK, I just got off the phone with Bobby (Rich, the city superintendent),” she said at 4:45 p.m. Sept. 13.

“If air is in the line, just let it run until water comes,” she said. “The air in the line may make it cloudy.”

“There is no water line break and no boil order for Uniontown,” Johnson said.

This, despite rumors starting on Facebook.

Government, Kansas

Governor’s Water Conference Registration is Now Open

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Registration for the Governor’s Water Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is now open.

 

The Governor’s Water Conference is Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2019 at a new location, the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, Kansas.

 

Conference topics include:

  • Sustainability Across the Supply Chain
  • Flooding Impacts
  • Groundwater Quality
  • Reservoir Sediment Management

 

Conference speakers will include Jill Wheeler, head of Sustainable Productivity for Syngenta in North America along with several other influential policy and decision makers.

 

Day two will build on the water policy and vision implementation discussions from the previous day with technical presentation posters and talks. Graduate and undergraduate students will present their research. Abstracts proposals for these presentations can be sent to KWO. Professional presentation proposals are due September 18 and student proposals are due October 14.

 

“We encourage anyone to attend who has an interest in our state’s water resources. Legislators, water managers, state, federal, city and county administrators as well as scientists, organizations and producers are all welcome,” said Earl Lewis, Kansas Water Office Acting Director. “Now being five years into the Kansas Water Vision and considering the state’s current resource conditions as well as dealing with such extreme drought one year and devastating flooding the next, there is no better time to focus attention to Kansas’ water needs and the role water plays in growing our state’s economy.”

 

The Water Legacy Award and Be the Vision recipients will be presented at the conference and the KWO Photo Contest will be a feature again this year.

 

Registration is available online at www.kwo.ks.gov. The deadline is October 24. Conference details, tentative agenda, brochure, speakers, sponsors and hotel information can be found online as well.

 

The Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is hosted by the KWO and K-State /Kansas Water Resource Institute. Major sponsors for the event include Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, 96 Agri Sales, Inc.

 

 

# # #

 

As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation.

Art, Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening In Fort Scott Sept. 13 By the Chamber of Commerce

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Save the date!! 16th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the film “The Learning Tree” – Thursday, October 3rd, FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton (See flyer below)

Karole Graham, Stephen Perry and S. Pearl Sharp, cast members in “The Learning Tree” film by Gordon Parks, will receive “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” at the annual celebration this October 3-5, 2019 in Fort Scott, Kansas. The celebration is in honor of Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. This year’s celebration is a special one as we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Gordon Parks-directed film The Learning Tree that was filmed in Fort Scott

Save the date!! The Fort Scott Writing Festival & Author Fair – Saturday, October 19, 9am-3:30pm, at The Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes, 1 S. Main St. (See flyer below)

Activities:
8:30am – 8:50am       Registration and Refreshments
8:50am – 9:00am       Welcome
9:00am – 12:00pm     Writing Workshops with experienced, published authors – 50 min. break-out sessions  **Registration required**
12:00pm – 1:30pm     Lunch Break and set up for Authors’ Fair
1:30pm – 3:30pm       Authors’ Fair and mini-workshops **Free to the public**
(Multiple authors will be set-up to market, sign and share their writing journey with participants.)
$35 per participant by October 15th, late registration $45.

High School and College students FREE w/current student ID

Registration available in person at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Hedgehog.INK Book Store, or online HERE
13-14
It’s time for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale presented by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce: Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th (See flyer below)
The official garage sale maps will be available at the Chamber, 5 Corners Mini-Mart, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, and Pete’s (all 4 locations)
13-14
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows
& bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
13

Fort Scott High School Activity Fair – Free fun for all ages prior to the first home football game! FSHS front/west lawn, 1005 S. Main, 5:30-6:30pm (See flyer below)

Free games, face painting, prizes, food and fun, hosted by various FSHS clubs, sports & activities

Any organization/business that would like to donate food, beverages, or prizes may contact FSHS Senior Lauren Madison by phone or text at 620-215-0802 or email [email protected]
13

Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main, 7pm

Friday Night Concert in the Park – Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

This Friday Night Concert will feature three sets (and a brief open mic period):
#1 – Steve Fortenberry -traditional, gospel & light classical
#2 – Rob Hunt and friends – gospel & hymns
#3 – A bluegrass/gospel group Come early and bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.  In the event of bad weather we will move to The Common Grounds Coffee Shop

The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]
14
2019 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Fall Golf Classic
4-Person Scramble – Saturday, September 14th at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton in Fort Scott (See flyer below)

$200 per team includes green fees, cart & lunch. Deadline to enter is September 6th

This fundraiser will help the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to support programs for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson counties

For more information, contact Tricia at 620-431-7401, ext. 230 or [email protected]
14

Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Saturday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds

We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
14

DOWNTOWN – MERCHANT MADNESS SIDEWALK SALE! Saturday, September 14, 2019, 9am-5pm (See flyer below)

Special drawings at each retailer! Shop local, shop Fort Scott!

11 participating stores including:
BIDS & DIBS CONSIGNMENT & RETAIL BOUTIQUE; BOOKS & GRANNIES (INSIDE SALE); COUNTRY CUPBOARD; HEDGEHOG.INK BOOK STORE & MORE; IRON STAR ANTIQUES & SUCH; J & W SPORTS SHOP; MAIN STREET GALLERY & GIFTS; MAYCO ACE HARDWARE; SUNSHINE BOUTIQUE; TRADER DAVE’S ANTIQUES & MORE; TREASURE HUNT FLEA MARKET

While you are out and about for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale & the Art in the Yard Festival at Bobbi Kemna’s, stop downtown and see what drawings & discounts the Downtown merchants have for you during this sidewalk sale!

The trolley leaves from Boiler Room Brewhaus at Wall
& National Downtown to go to the Art Festival and returns on the half-hour
14
Sidewalk Book Sale at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main,

9am-5pm (See flyer below)

Bags of books for sale: $4/small, $8/large
14 “Art In The Yard” hosted by Bobbi Kemna – 1366 215th St., just north of Fort Scott (known as Old 69 Hwy.),
9am-5pm (See flyer and trolley schedule flyer below)”Art In The Yard”, hosted by Bobbi Kemna, will feature all forms of art (no crafts) – paintings, pottery, jewelry, metal art, fabric art

Live music, BBQ, FSHS Thespians selling beverages, dessert table, kettle corn

Ride “Dolly the Trolley” shuttle for FREE from Boiler Room Brewhaus (10 S. National Ave.) to event and back
14  Storytime at Hedgehog.INK – 16 S. Main, 10:30am (held the second Saturday of each month) (See flyer below)

Storytime and special activity. This month: disco/rap with Jaymie & Kenzie Murphy
15 Louk Family Outing (30 players) at Woodland Hills Golf Course – 2414 S. Horton (time to be determined)
15 Team Trivia at the Boiler Room Brewhaus –
10 S. National, 3-5pmExciting, fun and challenging team trivia. Put your team together (maximum of 8 teams, maximum of 5 members on a team)

$5 per person. Cash prizes for winning team. Pre-register at the tap room
16
Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 12-1pm
16 Maker Monday for kids & teens – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm
16 Community Book Club – This month’s meeting will be held at Sylvia Trujillo’s home: 500 Sunset Dr., 7-8pm

This month’s book is “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern. For more info, email Sara Coon at  [email protected]
17

Retailer’s Roundtable Meeting with the Chamber of Commerce – Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St., 8:30-9:30am

“Retailer’s Roundtable” for Downtown Businesses who sell merchandise –
to share ideas on events, promotions, etc., in an effort to increase foot traffic Downtown. This is intended to be a smaller group focused on retail. Then at the Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greets, we can share ideas that have been discussed in the Retailer’s group

Not much of a prepared agenda at this first meeting, just sharing of ideas and reviewing upcoming events scheduled in Downtown.  So, bring any ideas you may have – looking ahead over the next quarter, six months, year.  Can be from a small little promotion type thing that all it takes is some advertising & promotion, to a bigger event that we would need to recruit a committee or service club to take on.  Since we only have an hour, we will probably try and stay somewhat focused on the time frame of now through first quarter 2020
17-18
Story Time, hosted by the Fort Scott Public Library –

201 S. National, 10-11am

Join Miss Val and other local families for a themed story time, featuring 2-3 books read aloud, songs or fingerplays, craft, and snack, along with a play table for before and after the stories. All story times welcome any age children and teens
Some themes are based around seasons, holidays, and annual events, while others are chosen by regular attendees
For more information, visit www.fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org
Enjoy stories, songs, crafts, and snacks related to our theme in the downstairs event room. Hope you can come. Tell your friends!
17 T.O.P.S Meetings held weekly on Tuesdays at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 10:30am
17 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room,
2108 S. Horton, 12-1pm
17 Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living (3rd Tuesday of every month) – 820 S. Horton, 2-4pm

Residents and the public are invited the 3rd Tuesday of each month for Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living

Visit our website here: http://www.countryplaceliving.com/
17 Farmer’s Market – Skubitz Plaza (in front of the historic fort)

Tuesday evenings, 4-6pm

Fort Scott Farmers’ Market is a farmer driven and run market. The farmers work hard to produce the very finest produce available. We also provide a great venue for community organizations to promote their mission and raise funds. We are focused on fresh locally produce farm products
17 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main, 6-7pm
18 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,  308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
18
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library,
201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm
Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
18
TAG – Teen Advisory Group – Fort Scott Public Library –

201 S. National, 4:15-5:15pm

Join Teen Advisory Group members in the library events room. This event is exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snacks night, community service project, book club meeting, and craft night each month. Members can help the library develop programs, displays, and book collections that better serve teens! Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. See you at TAG, and bring your friends!
19
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and a celebration at Lowell Milken Center at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee is being hosted by The Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes in honor of the 20 year anniversary of the Irena Sendler Project. (See flyer below for more info)
Location: 1 S. Main St.
19 Horticultural services at the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday – 210 S. National, 9am-3:30pm (See flyer below)

Krista Harding, Horticulture Agent for the Southwind Extension District, has office hours at the Extension office inside the Bourbon County Courthouse every Thursday. In an effort to better serve residents of Fort Scott and the surrounding communities, Krista is there weekly to answer questions and offer advice on lawn and gardens, trees and shrubs, flowers and insect. Bring your spotted leaves, strange looking insects or wilted flowers and let her help you! This a free service and is available to all community members. Questions? Call 620-223-3720
19 KSU Beef Stocker Field Day (See flyer below)

Join us as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the KSU Beef Stocker Field Day. The program will include the latest practical information to help you make the most of significant changes occurring in the beef industry. We’ll offer management tips to help you optimize your stocker operation and provide greater flexibility in the future. Registration is $25 per participant if you register on or before September 10th. Late registration is $35. A CAB Natural Prime Ribeye lunch from Niman Ranch will be provided. For more information, contact Louis Schreiner at 785-532-1267.

For the brochure and registration form, click HERE

To register online, click HERE
19 Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room,
12pm-1pm
19

The Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes invites you to a book signing event celebrating the 20th Anniversary of “Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project” on Thursday, September 19th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (See flyer below)

Author of the book “Mommy, Who Was Irena Sendler?” Cathy Werling, along with characters from the book Megan & Blair Felt, will be there to sign autographs. The book will be available for purchase and refreshments will be served

Cathy Werling is a retired Fort Scott elementary teacher and author of:
– Why Did Grandpa Cry?
– Why Did Sergeant Stubby Go To War?
– Mommy, Who Was Irena Sendler?
– What If Higgins Had Given Up?

For more information, call
The Lowell Milken Center at
620-223-1312, or visit the website at www.lowellmilkencenter.org.
19 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm

Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
19
A Star is Born, or Died – Boiler Room Brewhaus,
2 S. National Ave., 7-9pm
Join Boiler Room Brewhaus on Thursday evenings from
7-9pm for karaoke fun. Cheer on your favorite local star!
20-21
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows
& bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
20
Citizenship Ceremony – Fort Scott National Historic Site,

1 Old Fort Blvd., 10:30am

Citizenship Ceremony – reflect on the privileges of U.S. Citizenship as you witness new citizens take the oath of allegiance to their newly adopted country

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas will hold a special naturalization ceremony at the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Fort Scott, Kansas on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. The Honorable Teresa J. James, United Stated Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the ceremony on the grounds of the Fort. The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School band, orchestra and choir, and an address from a local distinguished citizen. The Pittsburg State University ROTC will present the colors

Approximately 100 applicants will be naturalized at the ceremony, which is open to the public. In case of rain or other inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Fort Scott Memorial Hall
20 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the FSCC Agriculture Building Expansion – 2108 S. Horton, 4pm (See flyer below)

Refreshments provided by FSCC Collegiate Farm Bureau. We’d like to thank our generous donors for making this happen: the Boileau family and the Cleaver family

Questions? Contact Sara Sutton or Blake Davis at
620-223-2700 ext. 3280 or ext. 3110
20 Fort Scott Community College 100th Anniversary Celebration Banquet – 2108 S. Horton, 6:30pm (See flyer below)

FSCC would like to invite EVERYONE to the Centennial Celebration dinner (Sept. 20th) and the Centennial Tailgate Party (Sept. 21st) to celebrate our 100 years of excellence!!

The dinner will be $10.00 per person and reservations can be made over the phone by call 620.223.2700 ext. 0 or online by going to fortscott.edu/celebration. Seating is limited for the dinner on September 20th, so get your ticket soon!

The tailgate party will start at 4:30 at Frary Field with free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, etc. No reservation needed, just show up and help us celebrate this momentous occasion.

For more info on the upcoming centennial events, click  http://www.fortscott.edu/article/07172019-812am/Join-Centennial-Celebration

20

Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main, 7pm

Friday Night Concert in the Park – Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

This Friday Night Concert will feature “Christian Strings” (local area dulcimer players), gospel and hymns directed by local Marilyn Adcock
The concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson. If you or someone you know is interested in performing, contact Ralph at [email protected]
20 80’s Party at Boiler Room Brewhaus featuring live music by “80 & Out” – 10 S. National, 7-10pm (See flyer below)

Live music by 80 & Out, plus a costume contest and more! $5 cover charge.

www.boileroombrewhaus.com

www.visitfortscott.com
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Cornerstones of Care Awarded Family Preservation Grant in Eastern Kansas

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Kansas Department for Children and Families Awards New Family Preservation Grants

Three agencies awarded grants for four catchment areas

 

With the goal of providing vulnerable families access to strong evidence-based programs, Governor Laura Kelly today announced new grantees for the state’s family preservation program.

 

“At the beginning of my administration I canceled previously awarded family preservation grants because of the lack of transparency,” Kelly said. “Today, I am pleased to say that the Department for Children and Families with assistance from the Department of Administration have chosen well qualified partners to assist in our efforts to strengthen families.”

 

“I am excited that these new grantees include familiar faces and new partners,” Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard said. “DCF looks forward to working together to reduce risk and safety concerns for children and keep Kansas families together.”

 

Family preservation is a voluntary service provided to families with a child at risk of entering foster care. It includes both short term case management services and intensive in-home services. The program also may serve pregnant women using substances to help the mother find and maintain substance use treatment.

 

Beginning Jan. 1, three grantees will manage the four DCF regions.

  • Cornerstones of Care of will manage the contract in the East region. Cornerstones provides intensive in-home services in several Missouri counties including the Kansas City area. The agency also is providing family services for the DCF Kansas City region and functional family therapy for the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 

“We’re beyond honored and grateful to grow our partnership with the State of Kansas across the DCF East region,” Cornerstones of Care president and CEO Denise Cross said. “We strongly believe in prevention services and will work closely with children, families and community partners through a trauma-informed philosophy. Together, we can keep children safe and families together.”

 

  • DCF awarded DCCCA the contracts in the Kansas City and Wichita Regions. DCCCA has 12 years of experience providing family preservation services in Kansas. The agency also has more than 30 years as a prevention services provider and more than 43 years as substance use disorder and addiction  provider.

 

“Given DCCCA’s experience with family services, expertise in substance abuse programming, ability to engage communities and our mission of improving lives, these family preservation grants allow us to combine our strengths,” DCCCA CEO Lori Alvarado said. “Our ultimate goal is to strengthen families and support them to nurture their children, which helps reduce the number of children in care.”

 

  • DCF awarded TFI Family Services the contract for the West region. TFI previously provided family preservation services in Kansas from 2005 to 2009. The agency also has provided recruitment, training, retention and support of foster families across Kansas since 1996.

 

 

“TFI Family Services is honored to be selected as the provider for family preservation services in the west region,” TFI CEO Michael Patrick said. “We are excited that our TFI caseworkers and therapists will have the opportunity to serve some of our most at-risk families and ensure they remain safely together as a family.”

 

 

 

In order to maintain transparency throughout the process, DCF partnered with the Department of Administration to use a traditional request for proposal process that included:

 

  • DCF grant review teams representing each region and administrative staff
  • Technical review for evidence-based practice models, child welfare experience, staffing ratios, accreditation and letters of support.
  • Cost proposal review by fiscal staff

 

In total, DCF received two proposals for the west region, three proposals for the east region, four proposals for the Kansas City region and five proposals for the Wichita region.

 

The contract term awarded is Jan. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

To report child abuse or neglect or to request services, please call the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.

 

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