What: The Kansas Corporation Commission will be conduct the second of four virtual workshops designed to learn more about Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan and how it will affect ratepayers.
Details: Each workshop will cover a specific topic related to the plan. The subject of Monday’s workshop is Operational Efficiencies. Evergy representatives will make a presentation followed by questions from Commissioners and intervenors in the general investigation docket. The Commission opened the investigation to evaluate whether the STP is in the public interest.
The general investigation docket is available on the KCC’s website at:
William Grant Wiggans, age 66, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Ft. Scott. He was born January 12, 1954, in Ft. Scott, the son of Donald Wesley Wiggans and Betty Bernice Powell Wiggans.
He married Amy Minor in 1984. Before they married, he was known as “Wild Bill” and after, that changed to “Sweet William.”
Bill worked road construction for several years before working for Bourbon County his last 12 years. He was known as “Roust About” by his co-workers. Bill could operate any type of machinery. He enjoyed horses, dogs, and tinkering with mowers and tractors.
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved them all. Bill will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife Amy of the home; four sons, Randy Earnest and wife Carrie, Bronaugh, MO, Patrick Earnest, Ft. Scott, Gerod Wiggans, Ft. Scott, and Gary Wiggans, Ft. Scott; adopted son Ron Widder and wife Cathy, Ft. Scott; his mother, Betty Wiggans, Ft. Scott; a sister, Carla Fowler and husband Mike, Ft. Scott; 14 grandchildren, Taylor Jo, Koltin, Mattie, Garrett, Isaac, Kendall, Nellie, Chandler, McCallister, Jackson, Poncho, Rhya, Daisy, and Jayda; two great-grandchildren, Emiyah and Everleigh; special caregiver Amber Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Susan Schnichels, Mary Sampson, and Dawn Sharp; and his father.
Mike Chipman assisted by Rev. Floyd Minor will conduct graveside services at 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 22nd, at the Clarksburg Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to the Bill Wiggans Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
The Bourbon County Treasurer’s Office in the courthouse closed Monday afternoon Dec. 14, because employees were COVID-19 quarantined.
The office will remain closed until Monday, Dec. 28.
Residents who need to do business with the office have some options.
Taxes
“We cannot extend the due date for taxes, they are still due Dec. 21 which is Monday,” Bourbon County Treasurer Patty Love said. “People can pay online by going to the bourboncountyks.org clicking on government, then treasurers, there is a link on that page.”
Another option is bringing the taxes to the courthouse entrance.
“There is a dropbox that people can put payment in, on the right wall by the double glass doors coming into the courthouse entrance,” she said.
They can also be mailed but time is of the essence.
“They can also mail them in, we are accepting postmark of December 21, 2020 to process them as on time,” Love said.
Vehicle Tag Renewals
“Renewals for tags can be dropped in the same dropbox along with payment and proof of insurance and we will mail out the sticker,” Love said. “
“If you need to register and title a vehicle we have a title-work-by- mail-form that is in a box next to our dropbox they can fill it out and put it in dropbox along with their paperwork, title and proof of insurance,” Love said. “We will call them when we get a total. Once we receive payment we will mail the tag to them. “
“They can also call our office at 223-3800 x 803 and we will email or mail forms to them,” she said.
“We realize this couldn’t happen at a worse time for our office,” Love said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and are sorry for the inconvenience.”
The confused, American woman asked me to help her fill out the form needed for her passport permit. Her adult son was too busy, I guess, as he spent his time in line perusing his leather-covered folder which contained every possible document (including multiple copies) to make him legal in Mexico. “Dan and Ruth” told me that they were on a mission trip.
Dave and I were driving to Mazatlán and were crossing into Mexico at the Columbia, Texas, border, notorious for little traffic and hassle-free trips. Not this time. The line of cars was crazy- long, and since only one lane was open, we had no choice but to pull in behind the other hundred vehicles waiting their turn. After fifteen minutes of not moving, an impatient truck driver behind us zigzagged out of line, followed by several dozen other drivers, determined to squeeze in at the front. At this rate, we wouldn’t cross into Mexico until 2021.
All along the line, passengers began exiting their vehicles, paperwork in hand, so that while the driver waited to pull forward, they could be inside having their passports, etc. checked. I did likewise. The drivers who had cheated by pulling around us had created a monster.
(How is it that some people think they are above the rules?)
Once inside, I waited in line for my passport to be checked. That’s where I met Dan and Ruth. When my paperwork was completed, I was told that I needed copies and had to get into line #2 where, for a fee, all of our documents were copied and snacks were sold. Once finished, I noticed Ruth in the middle of the copy line. Overly-prepared Dan was meandering about, double-checking his multiple copies, and that’s when I sprang into action. “Dan, Ruth doesn’t have to stand in line. You have copies of everything, so you’re set.”
He excitedly told Ruth that they could bypass line #2 and go directly to Line #3. Once she exited the line, thanking me profusely, an official asked if they had a copy of the passport document they received in line #1. No, they didn’t have that copy. Only the original. Well, then, they needed to get in line #2 to get it. I avoided eye contact.
Line #3 had about 50 people ahead of me…definitely the longest line because that’s where all of our documents were checked and verified and where I noticed that the buddy system was alive and well. Waiting people who had bypassed the #2 line handed their paperwork to a friend who then joined the #2 group. Only they didn’t just join it. They crowded in the front of the people who had been waiting patiently (like Ruth). Not only did they get copies, they loaded up on bags of snacks. Seriously…were Dan, Ruth and I the only ones for whom the rules applied? Why weren’t more people like us? Examples of preparedness and patience.
After an hour wait, it was my turn to stand behind the plexi-glass window and pray that I had all the legal paperwork I needed. Title to car and copy of title. Check. Passport and copy of passport. Check. Permit to enter Mexico and copy of permit to enter Mexico. Check. Mexican insurance forms. Check. So far, so good.
“What is your license plate number?”
No check. “I have no idea.”
“Well, Senora, I have to have it.”
I phoned Dave who, I imagined, still had to be in the car line. He didn’t answer. I called again. Same result. I texted. He called me. I accidentally hung up on him. I refused to turn around, knowing I would be the recipient of well-deserved glares as I held up the line. Murmurs could be heard: “Why is it some people think they have the right to get in line before they are prepared?” Granted, it was in Spanish, and they could have been asking for some Cheetos, but I’m pretty sure that’s what they were saying.
In Matthew 7:1 Jesus told his followers, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged,” a scripture many people in line that day needed to heed. Just glad that didn’t include me.
The Airport Advisory Board will meet on Monday, December 21st, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at the City Commission meeting room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Oliver Witt took 1st in the 200 free swimming a state consideration and a personal best time of 2:00.97. He also got a personal best of 1:02.25 in the 100 Butterfly placing 4th.
Sam Mix took 2nd in the 50 Free and 9th in the 100 Breast taking 2 seconds off his previous best time.
Bobby Kemmerer took 1st in the 50 Free and 2nd in the Breaststroke swimming state consideration times in both events.
KSHSAA released the 2020-21 Boys Swimming and Diving “Top Thirty” in all classes on 12/7/2020.
Representing the Tigers are
Bobby Kemmerer: 11th in the 50 yard freestyle and 20th in the 100 back.
Oliver Witt is ranked 18th in the 200 yard freestyle and 21st in the 100 yard butterfly.
This is quite the accomplishment, as most the athletes on the list are from 6A schools.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announces that its Office of Vital Statistics will close its Will Call Services pick-up option for the remainder of the year. Regular mail services will continue. OVS has been closed to public since March 23.
Those needing vital records can visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital to order via online, phone or mobile app. The certificates will continue to be processed but will be mailed rather than given a pick-up option.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Infrastructure Funding Across State of Kansas
~~Communities Selected to Receive Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program Grant~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz have announced the recipients of more than $5 million being made available statewide as part of the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (KLBIP).
The KLBIP is a state-local partnership initiative that is part of the Eisenhower Transportation Legacy Program, or IKE, the 10-year transportation program approved by the 2020 Kanas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kelly, to address infrastructure needs across the state. This year’s KLBIP selections include 27 counties and three cities who will receive a combined total of $5.1 million.
“Congratulations to the Kansas communities that submitted successful applications and for securing local matching funds for bridge projects that are critical to their community’s success,” Governor Kelly said. “Improving the overall transportation system across our state is integral to our economic recovery, and an important step forward as we work to invest in and rebuild our state’s foundation.”
KDOT reinstated this bridge program in 2019 to assist cities and counties by providing up to $150,000 toward the replacement or rehabilitation of a bridge on the local roadway system. For this recent round of KLBIP selections, a total of 68 applications from 61 local public agencies were received with requests for $11.4 million in funds. The total value of the individual bridge replacement costs ranged from $150,000 to $2.4 million.
Gail Klaassen, Neosho County Commission Chair and whose county was a successful applicant, said the KLBIP funds will enable the replacement of a deteriorating bridge on a road seeing a growth in traffic.
“Neosho County, like the rest of Kansas, is finding it difficult to find the funds to fix the many road and bridge needs that arise,” Klaassen said. “Partnering with KDOT to complete this project is the only way Neosho County will be able to complete this project during this time of crisis. We are grateful for KDOT’s investment in Neosho County.”
“We welcome opportunities to partner with Kansas cities and counties to replace or rehabilitate deteriorating bridges,” said Secretary Julie Lorenz, Kansas Department of Transportation. “This program allows KDOT to help communities move forward with projects that keep critical local roadways open and viable.”
The KLBIP targets bridges 20-50 feet in length and with a daily vehicle count of less than 100. Deficient structures, which are longer and deficient structures on higher volume roads, also qualify for funding under the program, but these will be limited to the same state funding amounts. There are approximately 19,000 bridges on Kansas’ local road systems. About 20 percent – or 3,800 — of those bridges are in poor condition or unable to meet today’s weight and vehicle requirements.
The list of cities and counties receiving funding is below. Those with an asterisk indicate recipients that also chose to close a second deficient bridge in order to receive an additional $50,000.
Allen County
City of Arkansas City
Chautauqua County
Cheyenne County *
Cloud County
Cowley County
City of De Soto
Ellis County *
Graham County
Harper County *
Harvey County
Kingman County *
Labette County
Lincoln County *
Linn County
Marion County
McPherson County
Nemaha County
Neosho County
Ness County *
Norton County *
Ottawa County
Rooks County *
Saline County *
Scott County
Sheridan County *
Sherman County *
City of South Hutchinson
Wallace County *
Washington County
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas, FAA Sign Deal for Supersonic Flight Corridor
~Testing area for supersonic flight brings fresh innovation to Kansas~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced today that KDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have finalized an agreement to establish the Kansas Supersonic Transportation Corridor (SSTC) for use in testing non-military aircraft that fly faster than the speed of sound (“mach” speed).
“To be able to deliver this new opportunity for our country is yet another example of Kansas cementing its reputation as a national leader in the aviation industry,” Governor Kelly said. “This high-altitude flight corridor gives Kansas a strategic advantage in attracting companies involved in the development of supersonic aircraft, and will play a significant role in our state’s ability to encourage economic development as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
KDOT Secretary Lorenz, who chairs the Aviation Committee for AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), commended the collaborative efforts resulting in Kansas securing the SSTC. She acknowledged Kansas Senator Jerry Moran’s involvement in the process in coordination with the FAA, NASA, the Air Route Traffic Control Center and the National Institute of Aviation Research at Wichita State University.
Senator Moran said industry forecasts show a market for as many as 300 sophisticated supersonic aircraft over a 10-year period, representing as much as $40 billion in revenue and requiring a “deep bench of skilled manufacturing talent.”
“This year marks 73 years since Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier, and with this supersonic flight corridor Kansas will have a unique role in the next generation of supersonic transportation,” Senator Moran said.
The Kansas SSTC is a 770-nautical-mile racetrack-shaped corridor at or above an altitude of 39,000 feet. The FAA’s Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center assessed this route to protect the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace system. This corridor is entirely in federal airspace above Kansas, running the length of the state, just north of the Kansas-Oklahoma border. The route will support sustained flight up to Mach 3 and is within reach of numerous airports equipped to provide fuel, ground and technical support.
Bob Brock, KDOT Director of Aviation, said the SSTC gives innovators like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Aerion, Spike and Boom Aerospace the airspace necessary to test aircraft designs that reduce the impact of sound on nearby communities. Brock said the Kansas supersonic corridor also offers logistical advantages by being the first and only such commercial supersonic flight test route in the nation’s interior.
Lowering the boom
“I’m really excited about quiet supersonic technology and its ability to be transformative for flight and our economy,” said Jim Bridenstine, Administrator of NASA.
Bridenstine said NASA is working with industry to build supersonic aircraft with “low-boom” or “no boom” flight characteristics.
To provide safety margins for these operations, the KDOT Division of Aviation, FAA Central Region, Air Route Traffic Control Center and Lemasters Group Consulting wrote new procedures for operators. Aircraft will only enter the SSTC at specific points and will be required to clear flight routes prior to takeoff. The SSTC is located in generally low-volume airspace, which will minimize any effect on existing flight routes and airports.
KDOT has partnered with Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR) to collect noise data and live telemetry from the aircraft that will be used by both the FAA and aircraft manufacturers to evaluate performance.
“We help manufacturers refine aircraft designs every day and flight tests are one of our core strengths,” said Dr. John Tomblin, WSU Senior Vice President for Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR Executive Director. “This partnership with KDOT provides a sophisticated and cost-effective flight test capability within reach of every major aircraft manufacturer in the country.”
The FAA recently proposed a new rule that modernizes the procedure for requesting special flight authorizations to operate at supersonic speeds over the United States. Kansas state officials are hopeful data from the Kansas corridor will help policymakers and the FAA make informed rulings on issues that will drive the future of the aviation industry.
Kansas has consistently served in a leadership role for the aviation industry. Research efforts such as these may shape the future of air travel in ways that both reduce impact on the environment and facilitate global travel in a far more efficient and affordable manner.
The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is located between 6th and Lowman Streets and 6th and Horton Streets.
The SEK Multi-County Health Department will only be reporting our COVID-19 active case count once per week on Wednesdays starting next week (12/23) and going through January 6th, to allow our staff to take time with their families during the holidays. We will resume reporting our active case counts Monday-Thursday starting on January 11th.
We will still have staff working on disease investigations and contact tracing during this time when new COVID-19 positive lab results are sent to us, but will not be working with a full crew during the next few weeks.
We appreciate our resident’s patience with their county health department during these trying times and hope you understand the needed time off.
We would like to remind residents to stay home when possible, wear a mask over your mouth AND nose, avoid crowds-stay 6 foot away from others and wash your hands often!
If you are sick, stay home.
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, we recommend you get tested. While waiting for test results, please isolate yourself in your home and have your household members self-quarantine.
If you test positive, continue to isolate for 10 days from symptom onset. You must be symptom/fever free for 72 hours prior to release from isolation.
Tell your household members to self-quarantine-they should be released back to normal activities 10 days after you are released, as long as they are and have remained symptom/fever free and have not tested positive.
Tell your other close contacts (friends, family, co-workers, etc.) to self-quarantine for 10 days from last day of exposure-they may be released after 10 days as long as they are and have remained symptom/fever free and have not tested positive.
Please also notify your employer of your positive test and your child’s school if your child tests positive or is a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.
Thank you for all of your continued support. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy New Year.
The Airport Advisory Board will meet on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at the City Commission meeting room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
