Monthly Archives: February 2020

Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Fire Department Awarded Grant For Fire Truck

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39 Kansas towns to receive Community Development Block Grants

 

Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the award of more than $17 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to 39 Kansas communities.

A total of $17,486,103 in federal funds is being made available through the CDBG program this year. Communities receiving grants have presented plans for projects to make improvements toward water and wastewater systems, streets, facilities and housing.

 

“Quality of life is key to economic development,” Secretary Toland said. “Each of these investments in critical infrastructure helps keep communities competitive as they work to retain and recruit residents and businesses. Governor Kelly and I are proud to support these projects in rural communities across our state.”

 

CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. Each community awarded has a population less than 50,000.

 

The CDBG program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their communities. To receive funds, projects must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria:

 

  • The project benefits low- or moderate-income individuals
  • The project removes or prevents slum or blight conditions
  • The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable

 

Grants in this category are awarded through an annual competition and support a variety of activities in communities throughout the state of Kansas.

 

The following communities are recipients of Community Development Block Grants:

 

COUNTY CITY
Bourbon The City of Fort Scott will receive $665,303 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new 100’ Platform Ladder truck for the city. The city will contribute $665,303 in local city matching funds.
Butler The City of Rose Hill will receive $144,000 in CDBG funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $604,890 in local city matching funds.
Cherokee The City of Columbus will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $600,000 in local city matching funds.
Cheyenne The City of St. Francis will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $812,110 in local city matching funds.
Clark The City of Ashland will receive $421,303 in CDBG funds to make water system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $421,303 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Cloud The City of Concordia will receive $561,660 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements in the city. The city has local funds of $561,661 to contribute in matching funds.
Cloud The City of Miltonvale will receive $35,212 in CDBG funds to complete a demolition project. The city will contribute a total of $35,213 through local city funds, force account construction and Landfill Fees.
Cowley The City of Cambridge will receive $182,000 in CDBG funds to make water system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $738,200 in matching funds it secured through USDA Rural Development.
Cowley The City of Udall will receive $494,360 in CDBG grant funds to complete a Library and Wellness Center project in the city. The city will contribute $474,360 which they secured through USDA Rural Development.
Decatur The City of Oberlin will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city has local funds of $662,700 to contribute in matching funds.
Dickinson The City of Chapman will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to build a non-discharging wastewater treatment facility to serve the city. The city will provide $3,535,794 in matching funds it secured through USDA Rural Development.
Dickinson The City of Solomon will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $1,416,424 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Ellis The City of Ellis will receive $412,113 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its water distribution system. The city will provide all matching funds themselves in the amount of $412,112.
Franklin The City of Williamsburg will receive $421,230 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $421,230 in local city matching funds.
Labette The City of Parsons will receive $272,500 in CDBG grant funds to complete a storm sewer project in the city. The city will contribute $272,500 in local storm water funds as a local match.
Lincoln The City of Lincoln Center will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $605,961 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Lyon The City of Emporia will receive $300,000 in CDBG Funds and pledged $88,400 in matching funds. This grant will rehabilitate 14 homes for owned and rental units.
Marion The City of Marion will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $3,334,478 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Marshall The City of Marysville will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to build a new fire station for the city. The city will contribute $938,448 in local city matching funds.
McPherson The City of McPherson will receive $300,000 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate approximately 13 homes for low-to moderate income families. The city will provide $72,710 in local matching funds.
Montgomery The City of Coffeyville will receive $268,500 in CDBG grant funds to complete an ADA sidewalk project. The city will contribute $268,500 in local city matching funds.
Nemaha The City of Centralia will receive $535,423 in CDBG grant funds to complete an electrical distribution system improvement throughout the city. The city will contribute $535,423 in local city matching funds.
Osage The City of Osage City will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $979,000 in matching funds they have secured through Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Osage The City of Overbrook will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to make improvements to their water treatment facility and distribution system. The city will provide $5,575,300 in matching funds they have secured through USDA Rural Development.
Osborne Osborne County will receive $60,350 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new brush fire truck for the county. The county will contribute $60,350 through funds secured through the Osborne County RFD #3.
Ottawa The City of Minneapolis will receive $300,000 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate eight homes for owner occupied and rental residents and demolish one unoccupied dilapidated housing unit. The city will provide $13,700 in local matching funds.
Pawnee The City of Larned will receive $598,497 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city has local funds of $598,497 to contribute in matching funds.
Reno The City of Arlington will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make wastewater improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $670,000 in matching funds it secured from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Reno The City of Hutchinson will receive $256,500 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate approximately ten homes for low-to-moderate income families. The CDBG funds will be match with $75,130 in local funds.
Republic The City of Belleville will receive $175,000 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new Standard Pumper Fire Truck. The city will contribute $175,000 in local city matching funds.
Riley The City of Riley will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $729,200 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Rush The City of Liebenthal will receive $220,850 in CDBG grant funds to make improvements to their sanitary sewer treatment facility and install a new pump station. The city will contribute $220,850 in matching funds they have secured through the USDA Rural Development.
Russell The City of Lucas will receive $264,852 in CDBG grant funds to complete a Community Center and Library project. The city will contribute $264,853 which they secured through USDA Rural Development.
Russell The City of Russell will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $992,800 in local city matching funds.
Sumner The City of Conway Springs will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make wastewater improvements for the city. The city will provide $2,977,275 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Washington The City of Hanover will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $3,730,247 in matching funds they have secured through the USDA Rural Development.
Wichita The City of Leoti will receive $596,450 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $596,450 in local city matching funds.
Wilson The City of Fredonia will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to create a wastewater treatment facility. The city will provide $2,219,400 in matching funds they have secured through USDA Rural Development.
Woodson The City of Yates Center will receive $400,000 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new Quint Fire Truck for the city. The city will contribute $400,000 in local city matching funds.

 

 

For more information on the Community Development Block Grant program, contact:

 

Kansas Department of Commerce

Business and Community Development Division

(785) 296-3004

[email protected]

TTY (Hearing Impaired) at 711

KansasCommerce.gov

Fort Scott Community College, Uncategorized

FSCC Announces Fall 2019 Honor Roll

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Submitted by Kassie Fugate-Cate on February 13, 2020 – 3:35pm

group picture of several FSCC students lined up for a picture in Ellis Hall

Fort Scott, KS–Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) has over 240 students on the fall 2019 honor roll list! These students work hard every semester and it truly shows. There are three lists of honorees, each group being at a different level.

 

President’s Honor Roll- 4.0 GPA

Vice President’s Honor Roll- 3.75-3.99 GPA

Honor Roll- 3.5-3.74 GPA

 

Congratulations Hounds on your success! Keep pushing forward and make this decade the best yet!!!

 

To see the full lists of honorees, please click the link below!

FALL 2019 HONOR ROLL LIST

Obituary

Obituary of Robert Cochran Jr.

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Robert Eugene Cochran, Jr. age 58, resident of Yates Center, KS, died Wednesday, February 12, 2020, as the result of highway accident near Yates Center.

He was born December 31, 1961, in Pueblo, CO, the son of Robert Eugene Cochran, Sr. and Barbara Jean Davis Cochran.

Bob served in the U. S. Army. He was discharged due to a training accident.

Bob enjoyed fishing, camping, dirt track racing, and football, especially the Denver Broncos. He loved spending time with his granddaughter, attending her activities, and being with family. Bob was a generous man and willing to help anyone in need.

Survivors include his wife Brandy of the home; daughters Amy Lee and Tasha Cochran; stepdaughter Tina Dixon; brothers Donnie Cochran and Tim Cochran; stepbrother Allen Smith; sisters Evelyn Cox and Debbie Tenpenny; and eight grandchildren including Elena Rose Dixon who Robert was raising.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Regina Wenger; and his parents.

Graveside committal services will be held at 1:30 PM Wednesday, February 19th, at the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott.

Military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:15 PM at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Epilepsy Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Business, Fort Scott

Lance’s Looking At Bringing Groceries to Downtown Fort Scott

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Loren and Regena Lance, owners of Mildred Store in Allen County. Submitted photo.

Loren and Regena Lance are contemplating duplicating what they have done to the Mildred Store in Allen County, in downtown Fort Scott. They have a grocery store in the town of Mildred, population 26.

See the end of this feature for how to give input to the Lance’s.

 

The Mildred Store in Mildred,KS, population 26.

“Loren and I purchased the Mildred Store six years ago this coming June,” Regena Lance said.  “We purchased the existing store because we saw a community need. We have taken a store in the middle of basically nowhere and made it a hub to the community and developed it into a destination business.”

Produce offered by the Mildred Store. Submitted photo.

“We feel after nearly six years in business we have an idea of how to be competitive and provide a great service to our community,” she said. “We would hope to be able to duplicate this in Fort Scott, if we decide to pursue this opportunity.”

Mildred Store is known for sandwiches and live music that happens monthly.

Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.

” Several people from Fort Scott visit our Mildred Store, especially on the third Saturday of the month which is our ‘Music Night’ and had commented on how nice it would be to have a store like this in the downtown area of Fort Scott,” Regena said.

“After thinking it over and discussing it with employees of the city of Fort Scott, we have decided to give it further consideration,” she said.

Submitted photo  of the Mildred Store.

“The situation in Fort Scott is similar to what we saw in Mildred,” Regena said. “There is a need in a community that could be fulfilled by a small store that stocks all the basic goods and a few specialty items. We are not trying to compete with any other existing businesses in Fort Scott just hoping to fill a void that has become apparent in the downtown area.”

Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.

Location

No location has been determined yet, she said, but the future grocery store would be in downtown Fort Scott.

 

When

“If we do decide to move forward with this venture we will be looking a late spring start up,” she said.

Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.

 

Community Input Sought

“We are looking for community input on what they would like to see in a future store, as far as staple goods, store hours and any other possible suggestions,” Regena said. ” We would like to invite anyone interested to come visit the Mildred Store to see how we could model a new store off of our existing one. Mildred Store is open seven days a week Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.  to 4 p.m.”

“Music night is this Saturday night starting at 6:30 if anyone is interested in coming to see what’s happening in Mildred,” she said.

To comment ideas for staple goods and store hours, use the store’s Facebook page: Mildred Store or call  the store at 620-439-5424.

Bourbon County, Government

Special Executive Session for County Commission for Feb. 14

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

Date: February 14, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00 – Executive Session – Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship (Lynne Oharah, Jeff Fischer,

Nick Ruhl and Justin Meeks)

Bourbon County, Schools, Sports

UHS Basketball Wins Against Yates Center

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By Addie Martin, Uniontown High School Sports Writer

The Uniontown Eagles and the Yates Center Wildcats went head-to-head in Tuesday’s game. Both Varsity teams came home with another couple of wins for Uniontown.

The girls’ Varsity beat the Wildcats 53 to 38. Danielle Howard scored 17 points this game, and Karleigh Schoenberger scored 18. They each had 8 rebounds, and Howard also had 7 assists and 3 steals. Sammie Hampton was another prominent player this game, scoring 6 points and rebounding the ball 5 times. Gwenyth Fry scored 7 points and rebounded twice. Breleigh Harris had 5 points, 1 assist, and 2 steals. “Extremely proud of how our team bounced back from a very disappointing loss last Friday,” said Coach Miller. “These young ladies chose to get better in practice on Monday, and it showed on the court tonight. On Friday, February 14, we will host Pleasanton for our winter homecoming.”

The boys’ Varsity also won against the Wildcats with a score of 53 to 43. This was a tense game for many players, as well as students past and present. Jake Harvey once more lead in points, racking up 21 during the game. Luke George scored 17 points. Both Harvey and George made half of their field goals; also, George made 2 three-point shots out of the 3 he took and was 9 for 10 on free throws. Drew Perry had 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Hunter Schaaf had 5 rebounds, and Clay Sutterby scored 8 points and had 11 rebounds. 20 of our points were made inside the lane. Coach Hays said, “The atmosphere for our game against Yates Center was awesome. It was great seeing so many Eagle fans travel to Yates Center to support our teams. I thought we got off to a slow start, but the boys responded well and played extremely hard. We shot the ball well and rebounded well tonight.”

Government, Kansas

Kansas Governor moves transportation plan FORWARD

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Governor Laura Kelly and Julie Lorenz, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), announced a new transportation program, FORWARD, at a news conference today as part of the Transportation Day activities at the State Capitol.

 

“Key features of FORWARD include a flexible, responsive rolling program where major projects are selected every two years rather than once a decade,” Kelly said. “FORWARD also calls for completion of  delayed T-WORKS projects; transit, aviation, rail, bike and pedestrian solutions that solve problems in rural and urban Kansas; and more partnerships with local communities to increase both local matches and the number of improvements we can make.”

 

FORWARD will also provide more resources to communities through new initiatives such as the Cost-Share, Local Bridge Improvement and Strategic Safety programs to help address Kansans’ pent-up demand for transportation investments, Secretary Lorenz said.

 

“Most importantly, FORWARD will provide better service through helping communities solve more transportation problems by utilizing all of KDOT’s resources,” Secretary Lorenz said.

 

Both Governor Kelly and Secretary Lorenz stressed the need to end transfers out of the State Highway Fund. Over the past several years, more than $2 billion has been transferred, causing the condition of the state’s highway system to decline. Governor Kelly’s budget, with the Legislature’s support, began to reverse that trend last year.

 

“To pass FORWARD, we must close the ‘Bank of KDOT’ – and make sure that funding for transportation is spent on transportation,” Kelly said. Governor Kelly has pledged to close the “Bank of KDOT” by the end of her first term.

 

The FORWARD program is a plan for Kansans, developed in consultation with Kansans, that works for the whole state.

 

“Kansans are ready to build a better transportation system for themselves and for future generations,” Secretary Lorenz said. “With FORWARD, KDOT will be ready to deliver.”

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

K-State’s Tarpoff: Plan now to assure successful calving season

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Stocking supplies, cleaning equipment are among management strategies

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Cattle producers who have not yet started the spring calving season still have time to plan ahead, and a Kansas State University veterinarian notes that could make a big difference in having a successful year.

 

“This is the time for a pre-emptive strike,” said A.J. Tarpoff, a beef veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension. “If you haven’t started calving yet on your operation, now is the time to start thinking about what you can do to be ready.”

 

Tarpoff noted that producers need to make sure they have the necessary supplies on hand, which may require buying or repairing items and facilities. Then, he adds, set in motion a plan to manage the birth of the new calves.

 

“Calving books are a phenomenal tool,” Tarpoff said. “It could be just a little pocketbook where you write down who calved, when they calved, if there was difficulty, and whether it was a male or female coming out. There is a lot of information that we can capture about the birthing process so that we’re able to make better decisions within our herd in the future.”

 

One of the newer management techniques that can lead to successful calving is to feed cows at dusk. “There have been several research studies that show reliable results that a higher percentage of animals are born during daylight hours when we feed the cow in the late evening hours,” Tarpoff said.

 

Feeding late in the evening, he said, will help decrease midnight or early morning births, which are hard on workers and can make the birth more complicated if there are difficulties.

 

Tarpoff hosted a series of calving schools across Kansas over the last several weeks to help the state’s producers be adequately prepared to bring in as many healthy animals as possible. The final session for this season was video-streamed on Facebook Live. A recording of that session can be seen on the K-State Research and Extension Facebook page.

 

One of his recommendations is that producers use a cooler to store tools and equipment: “On cold days and nights, the cooler will help equipment to stay nice and warm. We can close it up and know that our equipment is not going to freeze,” he said.

 

Tarpoff said producers should check calving chains or obstetric straps for rust, sharp spots or fraying. He also suggests having multiple sets on hand in case there are multiple births at once. The straps should be cleaned, disinfected and hung to dry after each use.

 

“Once those straps are dried, put them in a closed container so that you don’t re-contaminate them by accident,” he said. “Then, throw them back into your cooler kit.”

 

Producers should have a meeting with their local veterinarian to discuss situations that may occur, and what medicine or other supplies may be needed to handle those. “They can prescribe the products you’ll need and set you up to be a little more prepared,” Tarpoff said.

 

Producers can also contact their local extension agent or visit KSUBeef.org for more information on getting prepared for spring calving.

 

Bourbon County, Church news, Fort Scott

IF: Christian Women’s Event Feb. 29

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From left: Elaina Koppa, Rebekah Houser, and Bethany Johnson pray together. Photos courtesy of Kenny Felt Photography.

IF, a Christian women’s ministry conference, is planned for Saturday, February 29 at  9 a.m.Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. Twelfth.

 

IF God is real, then what? That is the premise of the ministry to women.

 

Area women are asked to join others from local churches to look into God’s Word through teaching,  conversations, worship of Jesus, and hearing stories, according to information provided from organizers.

 

Bible Study. Courtesy of
Kenny Felt Photography.

 

Presentations from popular Christian leaders, including Beth Moore, Sadie Robertson, Jennie Allen, and Bianca Olthoff will be from the IF: Gathering 2020 Livestream.

 

Also included is live music from local artists Madison Christian and KaLisa Veer.

 

The cost is $25 and includes a coffee bar, light pastries, lunch, and snacks, plus receive a free notebook and pen.

 

To purchase tickets:

http://www.iffortscott.wixsite.com/home

 

A few local IF participants  were interviewed by FortScott.Biz:

How has IF impacted your life?

Rebekah

“Last year was my first time attending an IF event…and I don’t know why I waited so long to join,” said Rebekah Houser, who will be the photographer for the 2020 event. “I loved the event so much that I’ve done every IF: Equip study we’ve held since then. It has filled the hole I’ve had since I graduated out of my high school youth group and has seriously been a huge blessing. Some of my closest friends now are the women who have also participated in these studies alongside me.”

Rachel

“After suffering the loss of my brother four years ago, I decided to attend a Christian women’s event at a local church, one that I didn’t attend,”  Rachel French, IF: Fort Scott Steering Committee Member said. “It was totally a God move. Over the years, the Lord has laid on my heart to promote unity throughout the body of Christ here in our community. Since that initial gathering, I have seen our IF: community put aside our differences and focus on the core common beliefs that we share.”

Bethany

“When I first attended the gathering in 2017, I was new to Fort Scott and was still trying to find my place in the small town scene, having grown up in a larger city,” Bethany Johnson, IF Steering Committee Member said. “I was asked to serve at the IF: Gathering and I came excited to learn and worship with other women. I quickly realized how much I needed to be there. I soaked up teaching from God’s Word and powerful and encouraging stories. That was just the beginning of how God has used this ministry to impact my life and connect me to other Christian women in my community.”

 

What is your favorite part of the event?

Rebekah

“My favorite part about IF is the building of a community with women from other churches and denominations. I love that IF isn’t about putting one denomination over another. It’s simply about creating a community with other women in your town and forming relationships with them. Then, the opportunity to join an IF: Table or participate in the short six-week IF: Equip studies can continue to build and solidify those relationships. No matter what age or denomination you are, we just get together to love each other and lean into each other. I love that,” Rebekah said.

 

Rachel

“I love that IF: Fort Scott doesn’t end when the gathering is over. We have weekly and monthly opportunities for the women of the community to get involved and continue to learn and grow more in their faith. We offer weekly Bible studies that start every six to eight weeks, with our next study starting on March 10th. We also offer monthly IF: Tables, where six women meet for two hours over a meal and have a conversation over a topic provided by the IF: Gathering team,” Rachel said.

From left: Rebekah Houser, Elaina Koppa, Brodi Dare, Jessica Majors, and Suzanne Griffin, during an IF small group event. Photos courtesy of Kenny Felt Photography.

Bethany

“This event is unlike any other women’s conference or retreat I have ever attended. We come together and watch recordings of other women and Christian leaders share powerful teaching from God’s word and testimonies of what He is doing in their lives. Since I volunteer as a youth sponsor and spend time with teenage girls each week at my church, my favorite part is gathering with women from every age and background to be united in one purpose. I am encouraged because it is an opportunity for teenage girls to see other girls their age leading women much older than them,” Bethany said.

 

 

How has attending challenged you personally?

Rebekah

“Since attending IF, I’ve felt compelled to not only get to know other women in my community better but get to truly know them. I have so many new close relationships with women now that one year ago I did not! I needed that desperately, and they have truly been a lifeline for me on so many occasions. I have the best and most understanding husband, but sometimes you just need a great group of ladies to lean on too,” Rebekah said.

 

Rachel

“This will be my fifth gathering and after each event I feel God stretching me to grow deeper in my faith and rely on him more. We get to hear from so many amazing speakers who communicate the word of God in a way that is different than a regular Sunday morning service. Through the IF: Equip app the speakers provide more content which has allowed me to continue learning from these godly women,” Rachel said.

Bethany

“Through attending this event, I have had the opportunity to study the Bible with other women, serve in many ways out of my comfort zone, and lead alongside new friends. I am challenged to grow in my relationship with Jesus through this event. There are many free resources available to study Scripture and dive deeper into your faith through the IF: Equip App,” Bethany said.

 

For more information click below:

http://www.iffortscott.wixsite.com/home