There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 22nd, 2020 in the City Commission Meeting Room, at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This special meeting will be held to hold a public hearing to consider an application to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds under the CDBG-CV category. The specific project application to be discussed is for the Economic Development program within the City limits of Fort Scott. The maximum amount of the grant request will be for $300,000 for both micro and regular business assistance category.
The City Commission meeting will not be open to the public at this time due to the limited number of 15 allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting will be made available by calling 620-724-9910, enter access code 515698#, and when prompted state your full name followed by the # tag.
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
Trees are a huge asset to the landscape. Did you know that according to research, just three properly placed trees can save between $100 and $250 per year in energy costs? Whether you have just planted new trees or have large majestic trees, they can become the targets of disease, insects and human error that can slow their growth and even kill them. This article will cover several tree troubles to be on the lookout for in the next few weeks.
First, I want to address mulching. Unfortunately, as I drive around our communities, I continue to see what is known as the “mulch volcano.” This is the practice of piling mulch high up the trunk of a tree and sloping it down towards the ground – like the shape of a volcano!
When mulch is applied in this manner, it is very detrimental to the tree. It confuses the tree to thinking that the soil level has changed. This will cause the tree to start growing roots into the mulch and can even start to cause decay in the trunk. Mulch applied too deeply can actually prevent moisture from reaching the soil and suffocate the roots – causing the tree to die.
If you are guilty of the mulch volcano, it can easily be fixed by dragging the mulch away from the trunk and reshaping the pile. Mulch should be kept 3-6 inches away from the trunk and should be spread out away from the tree in each direction at least 3 feet – more if you can. As for mulch thickness, 3 to 4 inches is all that is needed.
The pine trees in our area have taken a beating and it is really showing. Have you noticed how most of the pines are exhibiting an abnormal amount of browning to the needles? The trees have been hit by a double whammy – Dothistroma needle blight and two years of excessive moisture! There isn’t anything we can do about the amount of rainfall, but we can try to tackle the needle blight.
Dothistroma needle blight is a common and serious disease of pines. This needle blight is characterized by the heavy loss of older, inner needles, plus the appearance of small black fruiting structures on needles in the spring. Copper-containing fungicides can be used for control. However, many of the trees in our area may have already been lost.
Finally, bagworm season is nearing. They are a yearly pest in our area and can cause considerable damage. Eastern red cedar and junipers are the most commonly affected species, although bagworms can attack arborvitae, spruce, pine and some broadleaf trees and shrubs. Last year was a bad year!
Bagworm larvae will begin emerging any time now. Hatching does not happen overnight. Instead, hatching can continue for 4 to 5 weeks. When hatched, they will be very small and rather difficult to see. As they consume plant material, the larvae will become larger and larger and so will the new bags.
Many times, homeowners don’t begin worrying about bagworms until they are large and easy to see! At that point, chemical controls are a waste of time and money. Chemical control is most effective when larvae are in their early developmental stages. There are a number of insecticides that are effective against bagworms this time of year.
Trees are an investment! Don’t let disease or insect damage take hold. The Extension office is available to help you with any tree issues you may be facing. For assistance, please contact me at one of our Southwind Extension District office locations.
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Larry Davolt is the new principal of Fort Scott Christian Heights. Submitted photo
Larry Davolt, 53, will be the new principal at Fort Scott Christian Heights School, effective June 1.
“I have been the secondary science teacher at FSCH for 28 years,” Davolt said. ” I have also taught math and Bible classes.”
The principal position is responsible for the day to day operations of the school, he said.
In addition to 28 years of experience is in the classroom, Davolt also pastored a rural church for 15 years, he said.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Pittsburg State University and completed some graduate work through the Institute for Creation Research, and is currently working online for a master’s degree in school leadership.
Davolt’s hometown is Independence, KS.
He has been married for 32 years, has three grown children, and seven grandkids.
His hobbies are working on cars and houses.
In addition, for the last five years, he has worked part-time for Mercy/Bourbon County Emergency Medical Service.
For Davolt, seeing the way God uses former students to make a difference in society, is the greatest part of teaching.
His greatest challenge?
“Following a legend,” he said, referring to Terry Chance, who is retiring. ” I have worked with Mr. Chance for all of my teaching career, I know the excellent job he has done, and the difficulty of the position.”
Fort Scott has a Sons Squadron and we are always accepting new members. Jeff Norris is our local Squadron Commander.
To join the Sons, one must be a male descendant of a Veteran. The Veteran could be a parent, grandparent or great grandparent. A grandson of a Legionnaire is also eligible to join the Sons.
Eligibility for the Sons can be confusing. I was able to join the Sons through my grandfather’s World War One service, not through my own Navy service. I signed up two of my grandsons as Sons members and Myra signed up one of hers based upon our military service.
The Sons, like the Auxiliary and the Legion, is about service to veterans and the community. Recruit a member today!
Department of Kansas Sons of the American Legion SALute newsletter is attached for your reading pleasure.
On May 18, 2020, Fort Scott residents, Tara Holt, her husband, Bryan, and her siblings sent a letter to the Kansas House and Senate regarding making allowances for residents of long-term care facilities to see visitors who have been approved, during the pandemic.
Holt sent a copy to fortscott.biz.
It is being published as a letter to the editor.
” I am sharing this letter with you to raise awareness of this situation and asking others to reach out to the Governor and their Legislators,” Holt said. “Lawmakers will meet in Topeka on Thursday, May 21st to wrap-up business. I am told that they are hoping to work on a solution to some of what is addressed in our letter. Our elderly need us to speak out.”
“Dear Kansas Lawmakers,
We are asking for your immediate action to make allowances for residents of long-term care facilities to have an approved list of visitors during this, as well as any potential future, pandemic lockdowns.
While the state acted quickly, and used seemingly prudential judgment, to protect the lives of elderly Kansans, the legislature has to realize that there is more to life than a beating heart and a “one size fits all” lock down is not the answer for Kansas. The residents of these facilities, particularly those that are immobile or bed-ridden, need to see their loved ones and know that they are not forgotten.
Mental, spiritual, and psychological wellbeing should be as much of a concern for this population as their physical wellbeing.
We give our parents as one example of how people are affected by state directives. They have been married for over 50 years and our mom has been in a nursing home for three years. She has progressive multiple sclerosis and dad is no longer able to care for her. He does, however, come and sit with her every day and make sure that her needs are being met by the staff of the facility.
Now, however, he is reduced to standing outside her closed window (sometimes in the rain) and speaking to her via cell phone for maybe ten minutes a day. This is an unjust and inhumane action! Our dad is no more likely to infect her than any of the staff that work at the facility, all of whom go home every day and see family members, go to the store and other places in public.
We are requesting legislation that addresses the following:
• Currently, facilities take the temperatures of staff and ask pertinent health questions when they come to work at the facility. Allow this practice for a limited number (2-3) of family members or “like family” to be with the elderly in their room.
• Place restrictions on litigation so that facilities cannot be sued if one of their residents contracts COVID19.
• Let residents have a say in having visitors. Many of them have lived through way worse than COVID19.
• Modify or remove “social distancing” measures for approved visitors.
Upon speaking with the local health nurse, she said that with the current phase system, phase three would not allow anyone visiting to be within six feet of an elderly person in the nursing home.
So even if you can eventually go in, or if you have a facility bring your loved one outside (which some may not do) you’d still have to stay six feet away. These people need to be hugged and touched so that they know they are loved.
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are regulated by the state, so we need the legislature to take action in this instance.
When we think of what is happening here, CRUELTY comes to mind. Please do not allow our elderly people to be isolated and without human touch and love from those dearest to them any longer.
Respectfully, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan and Tara Holt, Fort Scott, Kansas”
The 2020 Youth Summer Reading Registration form is now open online at this link. Fort Scott Public Library will begin accepting physical summer reading registrations on May 26. Everyone wishing to sign up for summer reading, online or in person, for ages birth – 12th grade should plan to stop by the library for safe, socially-distanced packet pickups May 26 – 27 from 3 – 4 pm or May 28 – 29 from 10 – 11 am in the south parking lot, right off of National Ave. Drivers should pull up beside the table, remain in their cars, and tell Miss Val how many packets they need, and for what age groups. Miss Val will place the bags at the end of the table, retreat to a safe distance, and allow drivers to reach out and grab their items. If those hours will not work for you (you may have someone else pick up packets for you), or in the case of inclement weather, call the library or email Miss Val (see below) to set up an appointment for pickup. If you plan to pick up for a daycare or other large group, please call or email to schedule an appointment and designate the number and ages of the children when you call, as we will provide special packets to these groups. You may email Miss Val at [email protected] or call the library at (620) 223-2882.
The 2020 youth summer reading program will run from June 1 – August 5. The majority of the program will be offered online. Some physical activities, crafts, and reading rewards will also be available for curbside pickup throughout the summer. Storytelling videos will be offered on Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube, and craft demonstration videos will be offered on YouTube and Facebook, with guest readers and demonstrators in addition to Miss Val. Our performers, Storyteller Will Stuck and Magician Jeff Quinn, will provide pre-recorded performances that we will then share with our patrons during a limited viewing time. The calendars on our website and Facebook events page will have listings for all summer reading events. We hope to offer in-person activity & prize packet pickups at a minimum of every other week. Check often on the library’s website or Facebook page for news, videos, and updates. You may sign up for email updates here. Stay tuned for adult summer reading details, coming soon!
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas State Board of Agriculture will hold its regular board meeting using internet meeting services on Thursday, May 21, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Anyone interested in the meeting can participate using video conferencing or by utilizing a call-in option.
The meeting is open to the public. Individuals who have questions about the meeting, including how to participate in the virtual meeting, should contact Brittney Grother at 785-564-6797 or [email protected].
Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
