Submit Questions by Oct. 28 to Chamber of Commerce For Candidate Forum

Join us for the
General Election Candidate Forum
This Tuesday, October 29th
We want your questions!
Submit your questions for the candidates to the Chamber by 8am, Monday, October 28th.
Click here to email questions.
Or, drop off in person to the
Chamber, 231 E. Wall St.
Candidates invited to this forum include:
* Fort Scott City Commission
There are 6 candidates for 3 positions,
constituents may vote for 3 or less.
Candidates include:
Harold (Pete) Allen
Kevin (Skitch) Allen
Cindy Bartelsmeyer
Josh Jones
Deb McCoy
Lindsey Watts
* USD-234 Board of Education
Candidates include:
Position 1: James Wood
Position 2 (Vote for 1):
Danny Brown
Michelle Hudiburg
Position 3:
Kellye Barrows
At Large (Vote for 1):
Lynette Jackson
Bill Michaud
* Fort Scott Community College
Board of Trustees
There are 5 candidates for 3 positions,
constituents may vote for 3 or less.
Candidates include:
David Elliott
Kirk Hart
Michael Hoyt
Curtis Lear
Robert Nelson
This Candidate Forum is co-hosted by:
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
&
Young Professionals League
of Bourbon County

Kansas Prisoners Relocated to Arizona Correctional Center

Kansas Department of Corrections inmates arrive safely in Arizona

 

A group of inmates being relocated to provide relief for the Kansas prison system arrived safely in Arizona, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced today.

 

The group of 120 medium- and maximum-custody inmates were transported to the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz., by secure air transport, paid for by CoreCivic under the terms of a contract with the State.

 

Specific details about the transportation of inmates to Arizona will not be disclosed due to security and safety concerns.

 

“The KDOC has sought to relocate offenders who will be successful and most likely to benefit from the programmatic opportunities available through Saguaro Correctional Center”, said KDOC Deputy Secretary of Facilities Management Joel Hrabe.

 

KDOC used a screening process that identified offenders who have at least 24 months until release, low frequency of visitation, a need for education/vocational programming, and are medically able.

 

The KDOC has also posted information for family members athttps://www.doc.ks.gov/facilities/out-of-state-inmates which includes specifics on visitation, mail and other essential information. A staff member in KDOC Central Office has also been designated as a resource for families who have questions about their family member or processes.

 

The KDOC Office of Victim Services (OVS) has also notified registered victims of those transferred.

 

“The plan we announced on August 9, 2019 was to move inmates sooner, and in larger numbers,” said KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda. “We have been exploring all available options to avoid sending anyone out of state, but ultimately concluded this is the appropriate course. It is my hope that this will be a short-term solution and that we will not have to move additional inmates.”

 

On October 17, 2019, the KDOC had an inmate population of 9,027 male offenders, which the Kansas Sentencing Commission projects will increase to 10,399 by the end of state fiscal year 2029.

FSCC Received Complaint Of Football Student-Athlete Eligibility

The following is a press release by Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College Vice President of Student Affairs addressing a recent complaint on the eligibility of a football student athlete.

On October 15, 2019, Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) was contacted by the national office at the  National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) regarding a formal complaint from a non-conference school that had been filed regarding the eligibility of a student-athlete on the FSCC football team.

Further investigation confirmed that FSCC had obtained a release and a transfer tracking form for the student, but was lacking a transfer waiver form which results in a violation of NJCAA by-laws.

On October 18th, FSCC obtained the signed form and the student will be eligible to play for the remainder of the season.

The ruling from the NJCAA is in the appeal process, and the college has no further information.

This was an honest, administrative error that the coaches and player had no knowledge.  There was no malicious intent to violate NJCAA by-laws, and there was no benefit for the team to not acquiring the form.  FSCC is committed to refining the eligibility process to ensure that this type of event never occurs again.

FSCC will not have a final ruling on whether some games will be forfeited until the appeal is completed, everything is still under review, according to Kassie Fugate-Cate, FSCC Director of Strategic Communications and Student Activities.

Advance Voting Begins Today, Oct. 23: Polling Places Listed For Nov. 5 Election

Advance voting begins today at the Bourbon County Courthouse.

A general election will take place on November 5, 2019, to vote for representation on school boards, city councils, and the Kansas State Southwind Extension District.

Also on the ballot is a constitutional amendment question.

“The amendment question seeks to do away with a census count specifically for college students and military personnel to be counted where they come from and not where they are at the time of their vote,” according to a report on KSN TV, Wichita, Oct. 14, 2019. For the whole report click below:

https://www.ksn.com/video/constitutional-amendment-for-census-change-on-november-ballot/

Advance voting will begin today, Oct. 23and continues through Nov. 4 at noon.,  at the courthouse only, 210 S. National. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All of the following polling places will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. The polling places in Bourbon County are as follows:

Residents living in the City of Fort Scott vote at the following locations:

1st Ward Community Christian Church

 

2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church

 

3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church

 

4th Ward Community Christian Church

 

5th Ward Community Christian Church

 

6th Ward Community Christian Church

 

7th Ward Grace Baptist Church

Residents living out in the County vote at the following locations:

DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church

FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building

FREEDOM Fulton Community Building

EAST MARION Uniontown City Hall

WEST MARION Bronson Community Building

MARMATON Redfield City Hall

MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall

OSAGE Fulton Community Building

PAWNEE Redfield City Hall

NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church

SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church

TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building

WALNUT Uniontown City Hall

Chamber Coffee At Sleep Inn Oct. 24

WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
Join us for Chamber Coffee
Thursday, October 24, 2019  at 8:00 a.m.
Hosted by:
Sleep Inn & Suites
Location:
302 East Wall Street * Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bill Michaud will be celebrating with the Chamber Members of Sleep Inn & Suites 5th Anniversary!
In addition, we will be enjoying an Anniversary cake, Breakfast items and a drawing for a FREE ROOM CERTIFICATE!
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:
October 31 – Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (Landmark Bank)
November 7th – VFW @   1745 S. National Ave.
November 14th – Integrity Home Care & Hospice
November 21st – TBA
November 28th – No Chamber Coffee this day.

Governor announces appointment to the Governor’s Military Council

 

Governor Kelly appointed Dr. Stephanie Davis, Lawrence, to the Governor’s Military Council.

 

The goal of the Council is to pursue initiatives to enhance the quality of life for our servicemen and servicewomen, veterans and their families. Council members help develop outreach opportunities for individuals discharging or retiring from military service to use their talents and skills as members of the Kansas workforce, and promote Kansas as a desired location for all Department of Defense retirees and separating servicemembers.

 

The Council also looks to optimize the military presence in Kansas. This includes efforts to recruit and retain new missions and force structure, and actively foster close, effective cooperation among the installations and public and private sectors throughout the State.

 

“Dr. Davis is highly qualified for this position,” Kelly said. “Her experience working in the Veterans Administration and her expertise working with veterans and their families will be an asset as the Council pursues initiatives moving forward. We are fortunate to have her on the team.”

 

Davis currently works as the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for VA Eastern Kansas. Previously, she worked as a psychologist for VA Eastern Kansas and for Christian Psychological Services. Davis received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Iowa. She is a licensed psychologist by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Davis also is the VA Liaison for the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families.

 

The governor’s appointments to the Council are not subject to Kansas Senate confirmation.

Kansas Eco Devo Conference Oct. 24

Secretary of Commerce David Toland to Participate in Kansas Economic Development Policy Conference

    

The Kansas Economic Development Policy Conference begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, at the KU Memorial Union at the University of Kansas. Secretary Toland’s keynote address, titled, “Growing Kansas: A Look at Kansas Economic Development,” will begin at approximately 9:15 a.m.

 

At 1:00 p.m., Secretary Toland will be participating in a panel titled, “Conversation: Can Policies Spur Economic Development?” along with Rep. Jason Probst, Rep. Don Hineman and Sen. Julia Lynn.

 

    

What:             Kansas Economic Development Policy Conference

When:            9:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2019

                     1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2019

Where:          KU Memorial Union

         The University of Kansas

         1301 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045

Kansas Transportation Priorities To Be Discussed

KDOT invites stakeholders to discuss transportation priorities at upcoming Local Consult meetings

A second series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation will give citizens a chance to discuss regional transportation priorities and continue shaping FORWARD, the State’s next 10-year transportation program.

“Kansans are ready for the next transportation program to improve safety and grow our economy,” Secretary of Transportation, Julie Lorenz said. “We heard from more than 1,100 Kansans across the State who talked about the importance of completing T-WORKS projects, improving highways and making transit, aviation and rail work better. Now, as promised, we are coming back out for a second round of meetings to discuss specific transportation priorities in each region.”

All meetings will include an opening presentation and use facilitated breakout groups to:

  • Discuss transportation assets and needs at a regional level and gather feedback on priorities among KDOT’s various programs;

 

  • Share draft engineering and economic scores for highway modernization and expansion projects and gather feedback on those scores;

 

  • Discuss which highway modernization and expansion projects are regional priorities.

 

The meetings all will have a similar format, but the content will be specific to the region. KDOT encourages people to attend the meeting within the KDOT district where their community is located.

The Local Consult meetings are scheduled to take place in October and November in Pittsburg, Junction City, Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita, Great Bend, Liberal and Colby. A list of the dates, times and locations are below.

If possible, please contact Mike Moriarty, KDOT Chief of Transportation Planning, at 785-296-8864 or [email protected] to let us know which meeting you plan to attend.

Southeast Region – Pittsburg
Tuesday, Oct. 29
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Pittsburg State University
Overman Student Center
302 E. Cleveland
Pittsburg, KS 66762

North Central Region – Junction City
Wednesday, Oct. 30
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Geary County Convention Center
at the Courtyard Marriott
310 Hammons Dr.
Junction City, KS 66441

Northeast Region – Topeka
Tuesday, Nov. 5
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Capital Plaza Hotel
Maner Conference Center
1717 SW Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66612

Kansas City Metro Region – Kansas City 
Wednesday, Nov. 6
9 a.m.-noon
The Reardon Convention Center
at the Hilton Garden Inn
520 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101

Wichita Metro Area – Wichita
Friday, Nov. 15
9 a.m.-noon
Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center
225 West Douglas
Wichita, KS 67202

South Central Region – Great Bend
Monday, Nov. 18
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Great Bend Events Center
3111 10th St.
Great Bend, KS 67530

Southwest Region – Liberal
Tuesday, Nov. 19
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Seward County Community College
Student Wellness Building
1801 North Kansas Ave.
Liberal, KS 67901

Northwest Region – Colby
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019
1:30-4:30 p.m.
City Limits Convention Center
2227 South Range Ave.
Colby, KS 67701