Monthly Archives: November 2020

K-State Extension

Corn Marketing Workshop

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Program Announcement

Event: “Winning The Game” Corn Marketing Workshop,

Tuesday, December 8, 2020 in Neosho County Fairground Community Building, Corner of N Woods & W Girard St. in Erie, Kansas from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

K-State Research and Extension presents “Winning-The-Game” Corn Marketing Workshop to be held Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at the Neosho County Fairground Community Building in Erie, Kansas from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.. This corn marketing workshop will focus on developing pre-harvest marketing strategies for the 2021 Kansas Corn crop. The emphasis will be on using cost of production and seasonal price trend tendencies to develop seasonally flexible 2021 corn marketing plans for Kansas farmers. A variety of marketing tools will be used in the workshop including forward, basis and hedge-to-arrive contracts, short futures hedges, and put/call options.

Instructors for the workshop are Mark Nelson, Director of Commodities for the Kansas Farm Bureau, and Daniel O’Brien, Extension Agricultural Economist, Kansas State University. Preregister by contacting any of the following Wildcat or Southwind Extension District offices; Girard (620-784-8233) or Erie (620-224-3826). Pre-registration cost is $0, but there will be a $5 registration fee at the door. Attendance is limited to the first 40 registrants to be within COVID-19 safety guidelines. The workshop series is sponsored by Kansas Farm Bureau, and the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center. Local sponsors for the Erie workshop include: Frontier Farm Credit, Community National Bank, and Home Savings Bank.

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K – State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Government, Kansas

Kansas Capital Investment Milestone

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces $2 Billion in New Capital Investment in 2020

~Governor Kelly Celebrates Capital Investment Milestone at Plastikon Healthcare in Lawrence, Whose New Expansion Will Create 40 jobs~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the State of Kansas has officially surpassed $2 billion in new capital investment in 2020. This investment is brought by new economic development projects driven by Governor Kelly’s administration and the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“The arrival of COVID-19 threatened to undermine the significant progress my administration has made to rebuild Kansas’ economic development recruitment efforts,” Governor Kelly said. “But with the assistance of Secretary David Toland and the dedicated team at the Department of Commerce, we have continued to bring in new projects or grow existing businesses. This significant milestone in investment illustrates our strong momentum, which will allow us to continue creating jobs and strengthening our state’s economic foundation.”

As of Tuesday, Governor Kelly’s administration has closed 86 projects in 2020, worth nearly $2.15 billion in capital investment and creating more than 8,100 jobs. Since Governor Kelly has been in office, her administration has closed 179 projects worth more than $3.47 billion in capital investment and which promise to create nearly 19,000 jobs.

“This achievement would have been impossible without the hard work and dedication of our team at the Department of Commerce,” Secretary Toland said. “We have the best economic development team in the country thanks to Governor Kelly’s commitment to rebuilding this agency and her belief in smart, transparent economic development. Expect much more from Commerce – we’re not slowing down.”

To celebrate the investment numbers, Governor Kelly and Secretary Toland today visited and toured Plastikon Healthcare in Lawrence.

The company, a plastic and contract manufacturer, recently expanded its facility to produce test tubes for COVID-19 testing. The expansion will bring nearly $6 million in capital investment to Kansas and create about 40 jobs.

“Plastikon is an innovative, forward-thinking company with a strong record of responding quickly and efficiently to pressing health care needs,” Governor Kelly said. “Its ability to incorporate new technologies will aid the state in the production of much-needed testing supplies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and keep our businesses and schools open. I thank them for their dedication to our state.”

Capital Investment Highlights:

The Plastikon expansion joins the ranks of approximately 86 new economic development projects completed across the state this year, including:

  • Urban Outfitters, Inc., whose new 880,000-square-foot omnichannel distribution center in Wyandotte County will create up to 2,000 new jobs and invest over $400 million in Kansas over the next several years;
  • Amazon’s two new fulfillment centers in Kansas City, Kansas, and Park City, which will create more than 1,000 full-time jobs;
  • Great Plains Manufacturing’s new manufacturing facility in Salina, which will result in more than $43 million in capital investment and create 130 full-time jobs;
  • The new Nor-Am Cold Storage facility in Dodge City, which will bring 90 new full-time jobs and $30 million in capital investment;
  • And the new Peerless Products production facility in Iola, which will create up to 120 new full-time jobs with a capital investment of $10.35 million

A full list of Commerce business successes can be found on the Department’s website.

The below photos are available for media use:

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0591.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0592.jpg

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_0593.jpg

Government, Kansas

Flags At Half Staff

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Governor Laura Kelly Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-staff in Honor of Deputy Corporal Daniel Abramovitz

TOPEKA –In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, November 12, 2020 until sunset in honor of Leavenworth County Deputy Corporal Daniel Abramovitz.

“Deputy Corporal Abramovitz lost his life in the line of duty after serving and protecting his community for 26 years,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues at the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office. On behalf of the state of Kansas, we are grateful for the ultimate sacrifice Deputy Abramovitz has made for his community and the state.”

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.

Government, Kansas

Election Fraud Protection Bill To Be Introduced to Kansas Senate

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SENATOR HILDERBRAND ANNOUNCES IMMEDIATE PLANS TO INTRODUCE ELECTION FRAUD PROTECTION BILL

TOPEKA, KS – Kansas State Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-13) says he will waste no time introducing an election fraud protection bill to the Kansas Senate once the 2021 session begins in January.

At issue is what election officials call DRE’s, or direct-recording electronic machines, which do not produce an individual paper record for each vote cast. Despite national criticism and legal action, the machines are still being used in some Kansas counties. Senator Hilderbrand’s bill would make the use of DRE’s illegal in Kansas.

“The fact that DRE’s are extremely vulnerable to fraud is not a question,” explains Hilderbrand, “Experts unilaterally agree they are bad practice, but Kansas is moving way too slowly in upgrading machines. Protecting our election process is understandably of the utmost importance to Kansas voters.”

A Kansas law passed in 2018 required any Kansas voting system purchased, leased or rented in the future to provide a paper record of each vote cast. However, the statute didn’t mandate upgrading existing DRE systems. Senator Hilderbrand’s bill would ensure Kansans would not experience an election doubting the validity of results based on vulnerable technology, which is happening now in other states.

“As I stated during a committee hearing on this topic last year, ‘If an electronic voting system is connected to the internet or has wireless connectivity technology, it can be hacked. Even machines not connected to the Internet are hackable through compromised memory cards used to set up the voting machine before each specific election or remote access software or a miscalibration of the DRE. If the results of an election with paper ballots is questioned, the election results can be verified by doing an audit or recount of the paper ballots. If the results of an election using electronic system without a paper trail is contested, you can only say, trust me the results are accurate.’ My testimony holds true today and given the controversy going on in other states, Kansas voters deserve to remain confident in our country’s most cherished democratic process,” Hilderbrand concluded.

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Obituary

Obituary of Linda Poyner

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Linda Joyce Poyner, age 70, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Monday, November 9, 2020, at her home.

She was born January 27, 1950, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Arthur Scott Bolden and Neva Ruth Wolfe Bolden.

Linda graduated from the Ft. Scott High School.  She married Jerry Dean Poyner on September 27, 1968, in Ft. Scott.

In earlier years, Linda worked for the Western Insurance Company and then for Lincoln National.  She later worked at Hall’s/Bowman’s/Pumpin’ Pete’s convenience store on Wall Street for several years.

Above all, Linda was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed providing for her family.

Linda had many friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear.

She was known to frequently send out cards for all occasions.  In the fall, Linda enjoyed Halloween and will be remembered for passing out pickles to the trick-or-treaters.

She also enjoyed picking up and shelling pecans. Other hobbies included reading, crocheting and cooking.   Linda liked watching the Hallmark Channel and  enjoyed classic television shows and movies like The Waltons and Gone With the Wind.  She was raised in the Community of Christ Church.

 

Survivors include her husband, Jerry, of the home; three children, Jeff Poyner, Kirk Poyner and wife, Vanessa and Kam Poyner, all of Ft. Scott and an adopted daughter, Mary Jane Young and husband, Brad, also of Ft. Scott and grandchildren, Kolby (Megan), Cierra (Joey), Karis, Samantha, Jeron, Heston, Blaice, Kenady, Lakin, Carter, McKenzie, Caden, Sophia and Wyatt.  Also surviving are four brothers, Gary (Kristy) Bolden, of Pittsburg, Kansas, John (Adele) Bolden, of Carl Junction, Missouri, Dennis (Joyce) Boldon, of Lisbon Falls, Maine, and Douglas Bolden, of Ft. Scott, and a sister, Becky (Richard) Castillo, of Marshall, Missouri.  Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Debbie Archer, Linda Lundy and Cheryl Culp, numerous nieces and nephews and life-long friends, Ludean and Gene Evans and Virginia Viel.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister, Debra Ruth.

 

Private graveside services will be held on Friday at the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to Care to Share 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.

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Holiday Open House Nov. 12

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
Announces the Annual
Holiday Open House Shopping Event
Kicks off this Thursday, November 12th, 5-8pm!
Downtown & other participating stores!
This year the Open House will be a 3-day event with most stores offering drawings, deals & treats Thursday evening through Saturday!
Shop for your gifts & holiday decor
while supporting LOCAL!
On Thursday the trolley will be going
store to store from 5-8pm so you can shop & ride!
Enter drawings at each store for $50
in Chamber Bucks!
Thursday
Nov. 12th 5-8pm
Kicks off the Weekend!
Holiday Open House
Stores open late
until 8 pm on Thursday!
Most stores participating
Thursday thru Saturday!
See below for days/hrs.
SEE BELOW OR CLICK HERE FOR
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE SPECIALS
THIS THURS, FRI & SAT ~ NOV. 12-14TH!
3-DAY EVENT THIS YEAR!
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING SMALL & SUPPORTING LOCAL!
Fort Scott

Kiwanis Members Will Meet at Gunn Park This Saturday For a Work Day

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The Fort Scott Kiwanis Club met earlier in the year for a work day at Gunn Park. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott Kiwanis resumes normal Tuesday noon meetings on Nov.17 at the Methodist Church.

In addition, the club has embarked on a continuing winter project to assist in Gunn Park improvements.

There will be a work party at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday morning.

The members will meet at shelter house #6.

 

“Don Tucker Chairman of the men’s Kiwanis club stated that the club is really encouraged by the volunteers who are making major improvements in the park and we want to do our share,” said member Ralph Carlson.

COVID-19, Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 News Release For BOE Meeting Nov. 9

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, November 9, 2020

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, November 9, for their regular monthly meeting.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.  The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – October 20,  2020 – $1,414,951.80

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity Fund Accounts

F.     Parent/Teacher Conference Attendance

G.    Fundraisers

 

One patron spoke during the public forum.  Ella Beth presented a report on the

Fort Scott High School Courtyard project.

Board members heard reports from the following:

·       Brenda Hill, KNEA President

·       Michelle Stevenson, Early Childhood Program

·       All building principals

·       Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics

·       Ted Hessong, Superintendent

·       Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk

 

The board went into executive session to discuss employer-employee negotiations.  The board returned to open session.

Superintendent Hessong gave a Return-to-School update.  Board members approved the following changes to the Return-to-School Plan:

·       Classroom contact of an individual with lab-confirmed COVID-19 is not considered a close contact requiring quarantine if mitigation strategies are in place.

o   High-risk contacts are defined as those individuals with unmitigated exposure such as unmasked lunch exposure, social exposure, extracurricular activities including sports, home exposure, or other exposure outside of school setting, and as determined by a health officer or designated official.

o   Low-risk exposure is defined as mitigated classroom exposure (mask-in-place, appropriate hand washing/sanitation) and casual contact, as determined by the health officer or designated official, with mitigation standards in place.

·       Remote learners are eligible for extracurricular activities with mitigation strategies in place.

 

The board approved Blue Cross/Blue Shield for the district health insurance for 2021.

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Resignation of Heather Geiger, high school paraprofessional

B.    Resignation of Brenda Hathaway, high school cook

C.    Employment of Whitley Chesney as middle school/high school choir teacher for the 2020-21 spring semester

D.    Employment of Elizabeth Rose as a middle school paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

E.     Resignation of Sarah Bahr, high school assistant debate and forensics coach

F.     Resignation of Angie Kemmerer as middle school head volleyball coach, effective at the end of the 2020 season

G.    Transfer of Joie Moore, high school 6.5-hour cook, to a high school 6.5-hour ticket clerk for the 2020-21 school year

H.    Employment of Glenda Cooper as a high school 6.5-hour cook for the 2020-21 school year

I.      Resignation of Jacy Walker as high school head volleyball coach

J.      Employment of Mark Bergmann as high school assistant debate and forensics coach for the 2020-21 school year

The board adjourned.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Schools

St. Mary’s Catholic School Receives SPARK Grant

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St. Mary’s Catholic School
St. Mary’s Catholic School has received SPARK funds to provide laptops for students and increased technological capabilities. along with a small transportation bus.
The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, distributing funds provided from the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund, according to its’ website https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/
St. Mary’s students enjoy lunch outside as an aid to social distancing at the school..Submitted photos.

 

Technology
“We will use the money to buy laptops for our students to use at school and also to be used at home if we were to be shut down again by the state,” Principal Josh Regan said.  “We will also be purchasing new laptops for our computers with software upgrades that are capable of bringing remote learners, who have been required to isolate or quarantine, into our classroom via Zoom.”
Josh Regan. Submitted photo.
Cameras and WIFI access
 ” We have purchased Swivl cameras to make that experience more seamless and interactive for remote learners with SPARK FUNDS as well,” he said. ” We are also updating our WiFi access points throughout our school to accommodate more devices on the system.”
Purchase of small bus
“We were given funds to assist in the purchase of a small bus for the school, based on transportation needs and difficulties especially due to COVID,” Regan said.
Church news

Church Holiday Bazaar Nov. 14 at 1818 S. Main

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The new Family Life Center at First Southern Baptist Church is the building to the right.

Fort Scott  First Southern Baptist Church is having a Holiday Bazaar and bake sale this Saturday, Nov. 14, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the new Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main.

Handmade and Creative Crafts and homemade baked goods!

Ornaments Baked Goods

Unique Gifts Gift Baskets

Wood Creations

Breakfast – 7 TO 10:30 A.M.

Biscuits & Gravy, Cinnamon Rolls

Lunch – Soup & Sandwiches 10:30 – 4:00 P.M.

Kraut Soup Chicken Salad

Taco Soup Hot dogs

Chicken noodle Soup BBQ Sandwich

Dine in or Carry Out

For more Info:

Contact: Ida Ford 417-262-3948 or

Terri Williams 620-215-3202

Hope to See you there!!!!!!

Fort Scott Southern Baptist Church Holiday Bazaar is this Saturday, Nov. 14 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the new Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main

Handmade and Creative Crafts and homemade baked goods!

Ornaments Baked Goods

Unique Gifts Gift Baskets

Wood Creations

Breakfast – 7 TO 10:30 A.M.

Biscuits & Gravy, Cinnamon Rolls

Lunch – Soup & Sandwiches 10:30 – 4:00 P.M.

Kraut Soup Chicken Salad

Taco Soup Hot dogs

Chicken noodle Soup BBQ Sandwich

Dine in or Carry Out

For more Info:

Contact: Ida Ford 417-262-3948 or

Terri Williams 620-215-3202

Hope to See you there!!!!!!