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Monthly Archives: July 2021
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 9
Mushrooms by Patty LaRoche
Horrible, disgusting mushrooms have found a home in my yard.
This, after hiring a landscaping crew to come in four times a year to do whatever landscapers do to keep our grass green and somewhat weed-free.
These mushrooms prevent me from keeping up with my neighbor, the one to the south who last year sodded his yard and installed an irrigation system. Without fail, sprinklers come on in a watering pattern that keeps his grass worthy of a Better Homes and Garden cover photo.
I have zero chance since I am our sprinkler system. I purchased two sprinklers for the days in which it did not rain, and while joined to their 100-ft. hoses, I drag them around the yard, spending hours a week trying to keep my grass green and happy
You can imagine my horror this year when I returned from Mexico to find unwanted demon-guests (aka mushrooms) leeching off the decaying nutrients in my soil.
When no local business offered a solution, I made phone calls to experts and was told that the shrooms no doubt had thrived because of the rain.
“As soon as the sun comes out and the rain stops, they will go away.” Whining to experts has accomplished nothing.
I have spiked the area around the little imps and filled it with liquid detergent. Two gallons of Dawn later, the parasites had turned black and stank horribly. (Stink, stank, stunk…yes, that is correct.
) But then they resurrected in another area, including the edge of my neighbor’s pristine yard, and I felt responsible.
No doubt they had spread their underground mushroom spore-filled gills into Never-Never-Neighbor-Land and now might overtake the entire neighborhood.
I have dug them up and bagged them for disposal. I have doused them with a vinegar/water solution and have treated them with non-soluble fertilizer.
Still, their bothersome bouquets proliferate.
It’s no coincidence that this morning’s Bible reading is in Romans where Paul addresses our sin nature. Several chapters are spent on the entanglement of sin and how easily we continue doing what we should not do instead of understanding that as Christians, we are to move toward holiness.
You know, instead of continuing to feed our souls on rot.
Sin comes natural to us, and like mushrooms, if unchecked, works its way out in thoughts, words, and deeds. If we do not kill the decay upon which our sin is relying for nourishment, it can take over our lives.
The apostle Paul was direct when asked if it’s okay to ignore sin (since we are covered by grace). He used three words to answer: “By no means!” We have to do everything we can to correct all ways we do not reflect Jesus Christ.
In other words, just like the death of the mushrooms is the Sun, the death of our sin is dependent on the Son of God.
I just need to spend as much time with Him as I do the annoying pests in our ground.
Building For Lease In Downtown Fort Scott
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Recovery of February Weather Event Costs
KCC issues first order on recovery of February weather event costs
TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) issued the first of several utility-specific orders addressing customer payment of deferred energy costs related to the February 2021 winter weather event. On February 15, the KCC ordered regulated utilities to do everything possible to continue providing power and natural gas service to their customers in spite of skyrocketing natural gas prices. Utilities were instructed to defer any extraordinary costs and then propose a plan to recoup the charges over time to reduce the financial impact on customers. Each plan would require Commission approval.
The first of the payment plans to be considered by the Commission, submitted by American Energies Gas Service, was approved this morning. The company, which supplies gas service to approximately 200 customers in Harvey, McPherson, and Marion counties, reported $317,914 in extraordinary costs for the weather event, inclusive of carrying costs to finance the delayed recovery plan. For context, that is more than the utility typically collects in total annual revenues from customer billing. Under the plan, American Energies customers have the option to make monthly payments over a 5-year period or make a lump sum payment. If a customer chooses to make a lump sum payment, they will avoid the monthly carrying charges over 60 months. The payment amounts are based on individual customer usage during February 2021.
In light of ongoing state and federal investigations into the higher than normal February prices for natural gas, provisions are being included in each payment plan to protect ratepayer interests while still allowing utilities to begin recouping service costs.
“These investigations take time, and we don’t know when they will be completed. In the event there is a finding that the market price was unjust or the result of market manipulation, we make it crystal clear to utilities in these agreements that those proceeds will go back to the individual customers that are paying their bills today,” said Justin Grady, KCC Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service, and Finance.
An agreement on a plan proposed by the City of Eskridge is currently pending before the Commission while plans submitted by Southern Pioneer, Black Hills Energy, and Evergy are still being evaluated by KCC staff. Atmos, Empire, and Kansas Gas Service have not yet filed plans.
A recording of today’s Commission Business Meeting is available on the KCC You Tube channel.
Care To Share: $5 Flower Bouquets Fundraiser at Fort Scott’s Tuesday Farmer’s Market
Care to Share is a cancer support group, solely run by volunteers is seeking donations to help with cancer patient’s travel costs. In the support group, no salaries are paid.
For the next three Tuesdays (July 13, 20, 27) from 4-6 PM at the Farmer’s Market located at Scubitz Plaza, $5 flower bouquets will be sold by The Little Flower Farm.
100% of the proceeds will go to Care to Share. The Little Flower Farm is a local, sustainably grown, cut flower business.
The closure of Fort Scott Cancer Center has forced local cancer patients to travel out of town for care. Costs of travel are rising, and the bills quickly add up. With your support, Care to Share helps our neighbors, friends, and family who are fighting cancer.
We ask that you come out to the Tuesday Farmer’s Markets and support this wonderful mission these next three weeks.
Submitted by Calista Richards
(620)215-3008
Johnson County U.S. 69 Hwy. Expansion/Modernization Announced
Governor Laura Kelly Announces U.S. 69 Expansion and Modernization Project in Johnson County
~Kelly Administration’s Bipartisan Transportation Plan to Improve Accessibility, Safety, and Spur New Business Growth~
OVERLAND PARK – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced in Overland Park that the region’s number one priority, the U.S. 69 Expansion and Modernization project – totaling a $300 million investment – has been committed to construction as part of the Kelly Administration’s bipartisan transportation plan.
“This project will enhance accessibility, address long-term safety concerns, and relieve congestion to recruit new businesses and families to Johnson County,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Since day one, we’ve honored our commitment to ending the practice of using infrastructure dollars for projects they were never meant for – and instead use these dollars to directly fix our roads, bridges, and expand broadband access. Today’s announcement is further proof that our commitment to good stewardship of these funds is benefitting our communities, taxpayers, and businesses.”
Express toll lanes (ETLs) are a new-to-the-region strategy for managing congestion along busy highway corridors like U.S. 69. While the two existing lanes will remain free for drivers to use, the project will add a new, third tolled lane in each direction from 151st and 103rd streets, replace 50-year-old pavement and reconfigure interchanges at Blue Valley Parkway and I-435.
“This project improves traffic flow for all drivers on U.S. 69,” said Secretary Julie Lorenz. “The Overland Park Council voted to use this approach to manage congestion and provide their local contribution through tolls. The Kelly Administration’s transportation program is built on partnerships. Communities across the state are providing a local funding contribution or phasing projects so their projects can be constructed sooner.”
“I’m glad to join Governor Kelly, Secretary Lorenz, and Overland Park City Councilmembers as they take the next step on this project to expand US 69—a project that has been a longtime priority for our community. It’s a team effort, and with the recent passage of the bipartisan INVEST in America Act through Congress, we are one step closer to bringing home additional federal funds for the US 69/167th Street interchange,” said Rep. Sharice Davids. “I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to secure smart, sustainable infrastructure investments that create good-paying jobs here in the Third District.”
“Commuters on U.S. 69 corridor are frustrated with increasing congestion and travel times,” said Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach. “We must address these issues to keep the Overland Park community and economy growing.”
Moving this project to the construction phase will take place as soon as preliminary engineering and right of way acquisition is complete. The U.S. 69 project is scheduled to be let for construction in fiscal year 2022 and open to traffic in 2025.
KDOT will turn to informing the public on what to use ETLs between now and when the project opens to traffic.
For more information, visit www.69Express.org or follow @69ExpressKS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Nextdoor. Social media posts can be tagged with #69Express.
The below photos of today’s event are available for media use:
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Tri-Valley Raffled Truck Winner: Gary Thomas
Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Announces Winner of 21st Annual Raffle Truck Drawing
The Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation is proud to announce the winner of the 21st Annual Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Truck Raffle Drawing: Gary Thomas.
Mr. Thomas’ ticket was drawn from 1,894 entries on Friday, June 25th at 1:30 pm by TVDS CEO Bill Fiscus. Mr. Thomas was notified immediately and was both surprised and excited to hear that he had won the raffle drawing. Mr. Thomas is now the proud owner of a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Long Horn Edition Truck, purchased from Shields Motor Company in Chanute, KS.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s raffle drawing.
This year’s raffle drawing raised $29,600 which will go to provide quality and affordable housing as well as aid in the delivery of services for our neighbors with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
Since 2001, the Foundation has built six houses as well as acquired six houses and one duplex. These thirteen houses are home to 62 individuals with I/DD that reside in the SE Kansas counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson. The Friends of Tri-Valley is licensed through the State of Kansas for this raffle (RAF000005).
K-7 in Bourbon County To Be Improved
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Eight Highway Improvement Projects in Eastern Kansas
~Kelly Administration’s Bipartisan Transportation Plan to Improve Accessibility, Safety, and Spur New Business Growth~
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that eight Expansion and Modernization highway projects in eastern Kansas – totaling more than $297 million investments – have been committed to construction as part of the Kelly Administration’s bipartisan transportation plan.
“These eight highway improvement projects will enhance accessibility and road safety to recruit new businesses and families to eastern Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Since day one, we’ve honored our commitment to ending the practice of using infrastructure dollars for projects they were never meant for – and instead use these dollars to directly fix our roads, bridges, and expand broadband access. Today’s announcement is further proof that our commitment to good stewardship of these funds is benefitting our communities, taxpayers, and businesses.”
These are the first IKE highway modernization and expansion projects KDOT is committing to construction. Previously, these projects were in the IKE development pipeline.
The largest project featured at this event is the replacement of Topeka’s Polk-Quincy Viaduct and expanding I-70 to six lanes from MacVicar Avenue to Topeka Boulevard. Work will remove a sharp curve on the viaduct while also making improvements for motorists traveling through or entering the downtown area.
Others include a diverging diamond interchange at U.S. 40/K-10 near Lawrence, sections of K-7 widening and shoulders in Crawford and Bourbon counties and sections of passing lanes on U.S. 400 in Greenwood, Neosho and Cherokee counties.
“This week we are announcing projects totally nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars as part of the Kelly Administration’s transportation plan,” said KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz. “This significant investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure proves that by listening to Kansans and working with communities, we can complete more projects and identify better ways to deliver them.”
The projects announced today in Topeka are currently scheduled to be let in 2023, except for Polk-Quincy, which will let in 2024.
As promised, one phase of all T-WORKS projects will be let to construction before construction begins on the IKE projects. KDOT will host Local Consult meetings this fall to identify additional regional priorities to be added to the development pipeline and continue working on those projects placed in development in May 2020.
The below photos from the event are available for media use:
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Local 19-Year-Old Starts Fashion Business
Addy Labbe, 19, is following in her mother’s footsteps and starting her own business, Stylz By Addy.
“I provide great quality, stylish clothing that is super affordable as well as handmade jewelry, shoes, accessories, and more!” she said. “I started my business from my mother’s studio and with her and all her workers’ help. I mostly do Facebook Lives to sell my clothing so that I can show people how everything fits, looks, and feels.”
“I started this business because I have traveled the U.S. selling jewelry with my mother all my life,’ Labbe said.
Her mother is Amy Labbe, owner of Art By Amy, Uniontown, known for her creative jewelry designs.
“I have always loved fashion and traveling with her helped me figure out that I wanted to find a way to grow on that love and bring different fashions to Kansas,” she said. “We sell my mother’s jewelry at wholesale markets so I figured why not spend my downtime at the Dallas market bringing some of these amazing styles back to Kansas.”
She has been inspired by two women.
“My mother, Art by Amy,” she said. “She started her business on her own, grew it for the last 20 years, and is still going strong today. She is the hardest working person I know. Every new person she meets she treats with the same kindness as she would treat her dearest loved ones.”
“The other biggest influence in my new business is a woman named Melanie Hutchins, who I consider another amazing mentor,” Labbe said. “She owns a very successful boutique in Ohio. She has helped me grow and gain confidence in myself and has been a huge support in my business.”
Products can be seen on Stylz By Addy on Facebook and Instagram @stylzbyaddy or email: [email protected]
or phone:620-756-4125.
Addy Labbe is a Fort Scott High School graduate and still debating a university degree, she said. “But I know I love what I’m doing right now!”
