MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Governor Kelly to Deliver COVID-19 Update, Announce New Unified Testing Strategy
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. today, Monday, September 28, to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announce a new unified testing strategy.
As COVID-19 mass gathering restrictions allow gatherings of 45 people or fewer, all media outlets are invited to attend provided all follow proper social distancing protocol and wear masks.
Kress Building in downtown Fort Scott, August 2020.
A new grocery store in downtown Fort Scott is on the horizon.
This project is a result of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program.
The SPARK Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, according to the website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
The Kansas SPARK Committee approved the final pieces of the Bourbon County Spark Plan on Sept. 25.
This Kress Building repurposing addresses access to food, which was one of the issues identified for the SPARK program.
” BAJA Investments, LLC submitted an application which will result in the rehabilitation of the Kress Building located at 17 S Main Street in downtown Fort Scott, into a grocery store,” Bill Michaud, the developer of the project and owner of BAJA Investments, LLC, said.
Kress Building, 17 S. Main, Fort Scott, August 2020.
Featured at the future store will be locally produced co-op food and salad bar/deli, he said.
Additionally, a new resource center to support the needs of the community through COVID-19 pandemic recovery will be located in the rehabilitated Kress Building.
“Prior to the grocery store opening, a collaboration of local community resource agencies will open the BWERC (pronounced B-WORK) which is an acronym for the Bourbon County Workforce and Entrepreneurship Resouce Center,” said Michaud. “This is an exciting collaboration between Kansas Works, (a division of Network Kansas that supports Workforce Development), the SBDC at Pitt State (Small Business Development Center), Fort Scott Community College, and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce including the E-Community program — all that together with being coordinated and supported by Bourbon County Economic Development.”
Any inquiries regarding the B-WERC facility services may be directed to Bourbon County Economic Development Director, Jody Hoener at 620.215.5725 or by email at [email protected]
Food Co-op, Deli Meat/Cheese and Salad Bar
“The idea of a downtown grocery store certainly wasn’t an original idea,” Michaud said. “I think there has been discussion of this since the Dollar General moved out of downtown many years ago. I think it’s one of those things that people didn’t realize how convenient it was to have until it was gone.”
“The many issues that have arisen out of the COVID pandemic pushed this need to the forefront and access to healthy food was a stated point of emphasis under the SPARK program,” he said.
“One feature we are planning is the food co-op for locally grown produce and other food products,” he said. “We are going to provide a local outlet for as many ‘produced in Bourbon County’ products as possible.”
“We hope to become a resource to connect local producers with the market of consumers and restaurants who are looking for fresh, locally grown products,” Michaud said.
“Secondly we are offering to partner with CHC/SEK so that they may expand the food delivery service that they offer to the homebound, elderly and other underserved populations in Crawford County, into Fort Scott,” he said. “The new store will provide storage for donated food items for delivery and supplement the needs of the clientele by making additional food items available.”
The pandemic has caused some nationwide unemployment, which leads to increased food insecurities, some driven by lack of transportation, Michaud noted.
“So adding to the food supply downtown and in northwest Fort Scott will help address that need for residents of that part of town,” he said. “In recent years, the increased downtown housing development has further increased the need for a downtown grocery store.”
“That increase in residential housing, the lack of food supply to residents west of 69 highway and the great opportunity for partnerships to support local produce and other small businesses make this an investment in our community and in our downtown … a project I thought was worth pursuing,” Michaud said.
“We did not receive enough registrations to have the Tri-Yak-A-Thon,” said Penny Pollack-Barnes. “The race has been cancelled.”
The multi-sport annual event had a registration cut off for Sept. 26 for the Oct. 10 event at Gunn Park.
“In these uncertain times, we decided to hold the event if we have enough interest in the event,” Barnes said. If they had 40 registered participants by September 26 it would have continued. They did not.
Elmer Junior Judy, age 90, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, peacefully went to be with Jesus Friday, April 3, 2020, at his home.
A memorial for Elmer Judy will be October 10 at 2 p.m. at the Parkway Church of God, 1111 State Street in Fort Scott.
He was born March 9, 1930, at the family’s rock house southwest of Ft. Scott, the son of Elmer Lewis Judy and Eliza Elizabeth Sanders Judy. Elmer graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He married Lee Ella Gates on April 15, 1949, at Ft. Scott. In earlier years, Elmer worked at a variety of jobs, but for the majority of his life, he owned and operated Judy’s Iron and Metal in Ft. Scott. Elmer remained active with his business until three weeks prior to his death. He was a lover of God, his family, his church, Christian education, missions and good hard work. Even though he had great influence, he remained humble. Elmer had an enthusiasm and optimism for everything he did. He faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness). He served for many years on the Parkway Church Board, the Ft. Scott Christian Heights School Board and the Iron Quill Board of Directors he was also a board member for Haiti Missions.
Survivors include his son, Mike Judy and wife, Carma, of Omaha, Arkansas and his two daughters, Gwen Chance and husband, Terry and Jan Beltram and husband, Larry, all of Ft. Scott and four grandchildren, Brent Chance and wife, Angela, of Harrisonville, Missouri, Brandon Beltram and wife, Amber, of Wichita, Kansas, Lynden Judy and wife, Katie, of Omaha, Arkansas and Kristi Harbit and husband, Justin, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and ten great-grandchildren, Alec, Nate, Kole and Alena Chance, Mikah and Emma Beltram and Tally, Claire, Jhett and Jessa Judy. Also surviving is his brother, Richard Judy, of Emmett, Idaho. Elmer’s wife, Lee Ella, preceded him in death on March 8, 2018. He was also preceded in death by a son, Les Judy, a grandson, Dustin Chance, a brother, Clarence Judy and a sister, Marie Peterson.
Private burial took place in the Evergreen Cemetery at Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Joy Miller, RD, LD Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent Adult Development and Aging Family Resource Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Fax: 620-223-0332 [email protected]
Your home may be your new office or a classroom this year. No matter how much time you spend at home, it is recommended to test for Radon and know what level your home is at.
Radon is known to be the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers.
Radon occurs naturally in the soil. Kansas soils generate significant amounts of radon leading to the potential for homes to have elevated concentrations of this naturally-occurring class A carcinogen. Radon seeps into homes and other buildings through joints or cracks in the foundation.
One in four homes in Kansas will test at or above the EPA’s radon action level. Test kits are available at each Southwind Extension Office for $7, this includes lab analysis and return postage. Instructions are included, following them is important so the results will reveal the potential for elevated concentrations in the lowest lived-in level of the home.
If your results are low, consider repeating the test every two or three years or whenever there is a significant change in the home’s foundation, heating system or air tightness from weatherization efforts.
If radon is present above the recommended ceiling (4.0 pCiL/Pico Curies per liter), a confirmatory test should be conducted. If you want to know the radon concentration in other areas of your home, conduct the desired number of tests at the same time. When high results are confirmed, consult a radon professional for mitigation system installation.
More information about radon, including testing and mitigation, is available at Kansas Radon Program at kansasradonprogram.org and by phone, toll-free: 1-800-693-5343. The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Radon Program Services is housed in the Engineering Extension Department at K-State.
Follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict or Instagram @southwind_ext. For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.
When my Dad brought “me and Mom” home from that California hospital in February 1958, my parents understood that I was a newborn baby and couldn’t do anything for myself. They didn’t have grandiose expectations that I could keep my room clean, set the table, or read a book. They were just happy they had a baby to love and nurture. At the appropriate time, I eventually developed the ability to do what was expected.
You and Jesus have a lot of work to do together. You should be thankful you don’t have to “white-knuckle” it by yourself to get through everyday life. The work I’m referring to is “working out your own salvation.“ Only God has the unique blueprint for your life, so be careful if some well-meaning Christian comes to you with their instructions as to what you should do and how you should act.
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 NKJV). In order to mature in our Christian walk, we must renew our hearts and minds in the Word of God and come into His presence with an attitude of reverence. This scripture is not indicating that you can gain salvation through works (doing good deeds). It means once you become a believer in Christ Jesus, you don’t just sit on a stump while waiting to die and go to heaven. If you want to grow up spiritually, you’ll have to listen and obey God‘s voice.
In 1972, there was a popular song written and recorded by Tom T. Hall. I haven’t heard it for many years, but it impressed me in my high school days. “Me and Jesus” hit the country charts with a tremendous gospel message. Some of the lyrics are: “Me and Jesus got our own thing goin’…Me and Jesus got it all worked out.” The pastor, bishop, or priest can’t make you holy or get you to heaven. It all boils down to the fact that accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is when you really begin to live a life of purpose. His love for you will gently and precisely guide you in all your ways (see Proverbs 3:5,6).
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV). God is love, and love is what makes the changes in your new life in Christ. God loves you, and you love God and you want to please him in every area. Here’s the first verse to Mr. Hall’s song: “I know a man who once was a sinner. I know a man who once was a drunk. I know a man who once was a loser; He went out one day and made an altar out of a stump.”
When God fills you with His love and His Spirit, you begin walking together to become holy. I once heard someone say that no one is holy but God. That sounds nice, but it’s not true. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ’Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15,16 NKJV). God never tells you to do something you can’t do. By trusting Jesus as your helper, becoming holy is part of your spiritual maturity. Christians should know and believe that with Jesus all things are possible.
In John 15:5 NLT, Jesus says: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.“ I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a do-nothing. I’m going to stick to the Vine and allow God’s love to make the needed changes in my life.
The Key: Work (cooperate) with Jesus so you’ll mature and become what you ought to be.
“But regardless of political consequences, I will continue advocating for the strategy that will best keep Kansans healthy, and keep our economy open for business and our schools open for learning.
“Our country has fitting tributes to the members of our military who answer the call of duty, put service above self, and the many who have made the ultimate sacrifice. But the loved ones our fallen servicemembers leave behind – our Gold Star Families – have endured the loss of these brave men and women, often without the recognition they deserve. This new monument is an appropriate honor for their courage and resilience.”
“Opportunities for in-person voting registration are among the many normal routines that have become more difficult as a result of COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “But an active and engaged citizenry is critical to the success of our democracy on any level. We must do all we can to protect and expand Kansans’ voting rights and encourage all people – particularly young people – to vote in November and beyond.”
Governor Kelly Provides Words of Wisdom for Women Leaders
“While the pandemic and the past several months have brought immense challenges, it has also made it clear what we’ve known all along: Despite being historically excluded from leadership positions, women are natural leaders.”
“However volunteers choose to give back today – whether it’s painting a house, writing notes of encouragement, or entering data – please know that these efforts make our families, our neighborhoods, our city, and our state stronger.”
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
