FSCC All-American Meat Judgers

Submitted by Sara Sutton, Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Instructor

“Our season has come to an end but I wanted to share some exciting academic news,” she said. “Eight All-American meat judgers are selected at the end of each season. This is based on high contest scores as well as GPA. Our program had 4 of those 8 spots! This is not an easy accomplishment so if you have or see the following students, please congratulate them.”

 

First Team All American

Sierra Graham

Cord Dodson

 

Second Team All American

Ethan Westerman

Lila wood

 

 

Chamber Coffee At VFW

Join us for this week’s
Chamber Coffee hosted by
VFW Post 1165
Thursday, November 4th
8 am
1745 S. National
Fort Scott, KS
VFW is the largest and oldest war Veteran’s service organization, and they have a long and proven history of providing vital assistance and support to America’s servicemen and women worldwide
Click here to visit their Facebook page.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].
UPCOMING CHAMBER COFFEE’S
11/4 ~ Chamber After-hours Event hosted by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation at Landmark National Bank
11/11 ~ No Coffee… Veterans Day
11/18 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by FS Compassionate Ministries
11/25 ~ No Coffee…Thanksgiving Holiday
12/2 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott National Historic Site
12/9 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Sunshine Boutique
12/16 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by City of Fort Scott
12/23 ~ No Coffee…Christmas Holiday
12/30 ~ No Coffee…New Year’s Holiday

Guidelines for Pfizer Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11

Kansas Adopts FDA, CDC Guidelines for Pfizer Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Kansas will adopt the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations for administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11 under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), making all Kansans 5 and older eligible for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine.

“With this new development, the tools we need to keep kids safe and in school – and finally return to normal – are more accessible than ever,” Governor Kelly said. “We’ve been preparing for this announcement for months – and we stand ready to distribute this vaccine quickly and efficiently to every Kansas community. The vaccine is safe, effective, and free – and I encourage all Kansas parents to get their kids aged 5 and older vaccinated as soon as possible.”

This vaccine dose was designed for children, and underwent additional clinical trials specifically for people ages 5-11 to determine that the vaccine was safe, effective, and appropriately dosed to minimize any possible side effects.

The Pfizer vaccine formulation has already been administered more than 380 million times in the United States since it was first authorized in December 2020 and continues to prove effective while undergoing intensive safety monitoring.

“While we have seen lower rates of COVID infections in children as compared to adults, the Delta variant brought the levels of infections in kids to record highs. This important development will help keep children safe and stop the spread of COVID-19,” Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said. “These vaccines have been proven to prevent COVID-19 infection, severe illness, hospitalization, and death, and are important to get even if your child has already had COVID. But don’t just take my word for it – talk to your local doctor, get all the facts, and make the best choice to protect your family. Vaccination is the key to beating this pandemic.”

All 5 to 11-year-old children can now receive their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine from a large network of vaccine providers across Kansas, including doctor’s offices, retail pharmacies, local health departments, and clinics.

In addition, many community partners and schools may also offer the COVID-19 vaccine for Kansas children. Information on locations offering vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 will be available at  https://www.vaccines.gov/, and we recommend calling your local provider to confirm availability as well.

Children under the age of 5 are not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety and efficacy data of vaccines and consider expanding eligibility for vaccines at appropriate doses for children under the age of 5, pending further review. Additionally, the FDA and CDC have not yet provided approval or guidance on Moderna’s vaccine for children aged 5-11. Please refer back to KDHE’s website for up-to-date information as guidance on vaccines for children continues to evolve at https://www.kdheks.gov/.

Evergy Announces Third Quarter 2021 Results

 

 

  • Third quarter 2021 GAAP EPS of $1.95; Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) of $1.98
  • Increasing quarterly dividend 7%, to $0.5725 per share, annualized to $2.29
  • Raising and narrowing 2021 GAAP EPS Guidance to $3.71 to $3.81; Adjusted EPS Guidance to $3.50 to $3.60

 

Kansas City, Mo., November 3, 2021 – Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) today announced third quarter 2021 earnings of $449 million, or $1.95 per share, compared with earnings of $365 million, or $1.60 per share, for the third quarter of 2020.

 

Evergy’s adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) were

$455 million and $1.98 per share, respectively, in the third quarter of 2021 compared with $393 million and $1.73 per share, respectively, in the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are reconciled to GAAP earnings in the financial table included in this release.

 

Third quarter earnings per share were driven higher primarily by higher retail sales from warmer weather, increased transmission margin, higher other income, and lower income tax expense, partially offset by a decrease in weather-normalized demand.

 

“We continue to execute on all elements of our strategy, including investment in energy infrastructure and disciplined cost management.  This execution and favorable sales in the third quarter, driven primarily by warm weather, have allowed us to raise and narrow our 2021 adjusted earnings guidance range to $3.50 to $3.60 per share from $3.20 to $3.40.  We are also increasing our fourth quarter dividend by seven percent, reflecting confidence in the outlook of our business.” said David Campbell, Evergy president and chief executive officer. “As we look ahead, we will remain focused on executing our strategy and delivering benefits to all of our stakeholders.”

 

Earnings Guidance

 

The Company raised and narrowed its 2021 adjusted EPS guidance range to $3.50 to $3.60 from its original guidance range of $3.20 to $3.40.   The Company affirmed its 2022 adjusted EPS guidance range of $3.43 to $3.63, as well as its long-term adjusted EPS annual growth target of 6% to 8% through 2025 from the $3.30 midpoint of the original 2021 adjusted EPS guidance range.

 

Dividend Declaration

 

The Board of Directors declared a dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.5725 per share

payable on December 20, 2021. The dividends are payable to shareholders of record as of November 19, 2021.

 

Earnings Conference Call

 

Evergy management will host a conference call Wednesday, November 3, with the investment community at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT). Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing (888) 353-7071, conference ID 3955549. A webcast of the live conference call will be available at http://investors.evergy.com.

 

Members of the media are invited to listen to the conference call and then contact Gina Penzig with

any follow-up questions.

 

This earnings announcement, a package of detailed third-quarter financial information, the

Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2021, and other filings the Company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available on the Company’s website at http://investors.evergy.com.

 

Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)

 

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) exclude the income or costs resulting from non-regulated energy marketing margins from the February 2021 winter weather event, and costs resulting from executive transition, severance, advisor expenses and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities from the Kansas corporate income tax rate change. This information is intended to enhance an investor’s overall understanding of results.  Management believes that adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) provide a meaningful basis for evaluating Evergy’s operations across periods because it excludes certain items that management does not believe are indicative of Evergy’s ongoing performance. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Evergy Board of Directors. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.

 

The following tables provide a reconciliation between net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. and diluted earnings per common share as determined in accordance with GAAP and adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP).

 

 

Evergy, Inc

Consolidated Earnings and Diluted Earnings Per Share

(Unaudited)

 

Earnings (Loss)

 

Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share

 

Earnings (Loss)

 

Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share

Three Months Ended September 30

2021

 

2020

 

(millions, except per share amounts)

Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. $

449.4

  $

1.95

  $

364.5

  $

1.60

Non-GAAP reconciling items:              
Non-regulated energy marketing costs related to February 2021

winter weather event, pre-tax(b)

1.9

 

0.01

 

 

Executive transition costs, pre-tax(c)

3.3

 

0.02

 

 

Severance costs, pre-tax(d)

 

 

28.7

 

0.13

Advisor expenses, pre-tax(e)

1.2

 

 

9.7

 

0.04

Income tax benefit(f)

(1.0)

 

 

(9.6)

 

(0.04)

Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) $

454.8

  $

1.98

  $

393.3

  $

1.73

 

Earnings (Loss)

 

Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share

 

Earnings (Loss)

 

Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share

Year to Date September 30

2021

 

2020

 

(millions, except per share amounts)

Net income attributable to Evergy, Inc. $

826.3

  $

3.60

  $

567.3

  $

2.49

Non-GAAP reconciling items:              
Non-regulated energy marketing margin related to February 2021

winter weather event, pre-tax(a)

(95.0)

 

(0.42)

 

 

Non-regulated energy marketing costs related to February 2021

winter weather event, pre-tax(b)

5.9

 

0.03

 

 

Executive transition costs, pre-tax(c)

10.6

 

0.05

 

 

Severance costs, pre-tax(d)

2.8

 

0.01

 

55.3

 

0.24

Advisor expenses, pre-tax(e)

8.4

 

0.04

 

26.1

 

0.12

Income tax expense (benefit)(f)

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Bourbon County Election Results November 2, 2021

These results are unofficial until canvassed by the Bourbon County Commission.

The results are provided by the Bourbon County Clerks Office.

SUMMARY REPORT- of the 2021 CITY SCHOOL GENERAL-ELECTION UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

11/02/21 08:28 PM REPORT

TOTAL VOTES

CITY COUNCIL BRONSON
(Vote for 2
Clearsia Botts. . . . . . . . . 29
Kayla Greenway. . . . . . . . . 22
Kelly Perry. . . . . . . . . . 23
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 2 2.

CITY COUNCIL MAPLETON
(Vote for 2
Mike Blevins . . . . . . . . . 6
Homer Wisdom . . . . . . . . . 5
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

CITY COUNCIL REDFIELD
(Vote for 2
Michael Beerbower. . . . . . . . 19
Kirby Martin . . . . . . . . . 20
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 3 7

CITY COUNCIL UNIONTOWN
(Vote for 2
Jess Ervin . . . . . . . . . . 41
Amber Kelly. . . . . . . . . . 34
Kyle Knight. . . . . . . . . . 19
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 3 3

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 4 USD 234
(Vote for 1
David Stewart . . . . . . . . . 1,111
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 75

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 4 USD 235
(Vote for 1
Brian Ray Stewart. . . . . . . . 176
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 9 4

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 USD 234
(Vote for 1
Garold (Gary) Billionis. . . . . . 566
Casey Bolden . . . . . . . . . 374
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 408

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 5 USD 235
(Vote for 1
Mike Mason . . . . . . . . . . 200
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 7 3

CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT
(Vote for 3
Michael Hoyt . . . . . . . . . 220
Josh Jones . . . . . . . . . . 635
Ann Rawlins. . . . . . . . . . 137
Tim Van Hoecke. . . . . . . . . 668
Judy Warren. . . . . . . . . . 232
Matthew Wells . . . . . . . . . 454
Willa Wilson . . . . . . . . . 94
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 42

MAYOR BRONSON
(Vote for 1
Joshua Marlow . . . . . . . . . 30
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 4

MAYOR FULTON
(Vote for 1
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 14

MAYOR MAPLETON
(Vote for 1
Ronald B Burton Jr . . . . . . . 6
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

MAYOR REDFIELD
(Vote for 1
Wilma K. Graham . . . . . . . . 8
Clarence Ed Guss . . . . . . . . 16
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

MAYOR UNIONTOWN
(Vote for 1
Larry Jurgensen . . . . . . . . 43
Bill Marlow. . . . . . . . . . 11
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

CITY COUNCIL FULTON
(Vote for 5
NO CANDIDATE FILED . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 44

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 6 USD 234
(Vote for 1
Brian L. Allen. . . . . . . . . 848
Tracy King . . . . . . . . . . 286
Joshua Query . . . . . . . . . 217
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 18

USD 235
(Vote for 1
Tyler J. Martin . . . . . . . . 209
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 6 USD 248
(Vote for 1
Kelly Peak . . . . . . . . . . 0
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 0

SOUTHWIND EXTENSION DISTRICT
(Vote for 2
Ethan A Holly . . . . . . . . . 711
Gary Palmer. . . . . . . . . . 1,328
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 15

Fort Scott Community College BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(Vote for 3
John Bartelsmeyer. . . . . . . . 988
James L. Fewins . . . . . . . . 633
Bryan Holt . . . . . . . . . . 1,103
Bill Meyer . . . . . . . . . . 525
Kevin D Wagner. . . . . . . . . 570
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 28

Grants Available for Economic Stability and  Rural Food Systems

 

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Inc. (HBCAT) has developed three grant programs, funded by the Patterson Family Foundation, for minority, women-owned or low-income start-up businesses, restaurants and food retail, and farmers/ranchers. Tools and technical assistance to increase the chance of a sustainable business model will be provided, free of cost, by a team of support organizations at the Action Team’s Center for Economic Growth (Center).

The Center’s team is made of Dacia Clark, Assistant Director with Pittsburg State Small Business Development Center (PSU SBDC), Lindsay Madison, President and CEO Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Jody Hoener, President and CEO HBCAT, Rachel Carpenter, Program Coordinator HBCAT, and Christina Abbott, Southeast KANSASWORKS. Together the collaboration is offering a one-stop-shop to community members seeking to build financial stability.

Each grant program will have separate eligibility criteria.

All three grant programs will require the applicant to be an official client of the PSU SBDC at the Center, develop a plan and financial projections.

Food retail/restaurant and farmer/rancher grants will be required to submit documentation of a wholesale relationship.

“One goal with this funding is to support our local farmers and ranchers,” Jody Hoener, HBCAT, “We want to be able to eat food grown locally or meat raised in Bourbon County in our schools, restaurants, and stores.”

In addition, the Center is seeking to support individuals who have dreams of building their own business but don’t know where to start.

“Many of our clients have innovative ideas and develop solid business plans, they just need a little extra financial support to kickstart their business,” Dacia Clark, PSU SBDC.

Like many rural communities, Bourbon County has seen inadequate levels of venture or capital injection and historically no programming available to focus on employment, mentoring, business planning or other wealth-building strategies. The Center is addressing this need.

Individuals interested in applying for one of the three programs are encouraged to reach out to Rachel Carpenter at [email protected].

Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #healthybbco

Background of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Community. Its mission is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life and encourage economic growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for
economic success in any industry and in all cities.

Contact information:
Jody Hoener, President and CEO
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-5725
[email protected]

Rachel Carpenter
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-2562
[email protected]

Mary Hunt, Interim Operations Director
Southeast KANSASWorks
Desk: 620-232-1222
Cell: 620-670-0006
Website: www.sekworks.org

Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537

Lindsay Madison, President and CEO
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any
program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).

Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
b. Exceptions to Including the Full USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Your Favorite Place in Kansas Youth Photo Contest

STUDENTS INVITED TO ENTER

KANSAS PHOTO CONTEST

 

TOPEKA –Each year Kansas students are invited to enter photographs that celebrate Kansas and be eligible for special prizes. This year’s theme is Your Favorite Place in Kansas. First place winners in each grade from first to 12th will receive iPads; second place awards in each grade are Kindles.

Last year, first grader Lily Steadman of Derby photographed a school competition to highlight the runners on the Kansas prairies. She received first place in her category in the Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest and won an iPad for her work, among the 24 student award recipients. Lily’s was one of 400 contest entries.

The student photographs contribute to the pictorial history of Kansas, like L. W. Halbe, an early 20th century teenage photographer from Dorrance in Russell County. Halbe’s photos offer a valuable window into life in his community. These photos will be preserved by the Kansas Historical Society.

The contest deadline, for first through 12th grade students, is 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Winners will be announced as part of the state’s 161st birthday commemoration at the Kansas State Capitol on Friday, January 28, 2022. Find more information and a complete list of contest rules at happybirthdayks.org.

The contest is sponsored by the Kansas legislative spouses in conjunction with the Kansas Historical Society.

Find photographs from last year’s Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest:

https://www.kshs.org/p/student-photo-contest-2020/20482

Find photographs from the Halbe collection online in Kansas Memory:

https://www.kansasmemory.org/locate.php?categories=4652

###

KS Chemical Contaminated Sites Risk Standards Revised

KDHE Releases Updated Risk-Based Standards for Kansas Manual 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Environmental Remediation (BER) has released the 6th version of the Risk-based Standards for Kansas (RSK) Manual. The RSK Manual was originally developed in 1999, to address contaminated sites fairly and consistently in Kansas in the appropriate state cleanup programs. Chemical-specific and media-specific risk-based cleanup goals listed in the RSK Manual are calculated by using guidance and directives from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and other technical resources.

Revisions for the 6th version include the addition of cleanup goals for ammonium glufosinate and dalapon and the updating of exposure factors utilized in calculations, per USEPA guidance. The 6th version of the RSK Manual can be found at https://www.kdheks.gov/remedial/rsk_manual_page.html

A Big Crowd At 2021 Fort Scott Halloween Parade

Mirna Santana, manager of La Hacienda Restaurant, hands out treats to Halloween paraders on Oct. 30.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce facilitated the annual Halloween Parade in historic downtown on Saturday, Oct. 30.
“We handed out a hot dog lunch to just shy of 600 kids in costumes so including their parents, grandparents, and other family members there were probably three times that many people, upward to 1,500-2,000 people who attended the festivities Saturday morning,” Lindsay Madison, executive director, said on the Chamber Facebook page.
A large crowd winds around Skutbitz Plaza waiting for the Halloween Parade to begin.

Madison expressed thanks to the following:
*   downtown retailers, businesses, and other organizations who handed out candy along Main Street.
*  Briggs of Fort Scott, a major sponsor of the event
* additional sponsors and donators included: Niece Products of Kansas, Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, Fort Scott Sharky’s Pub & Grub, Valu Merchandisers Company – VMC, Fort Scott Inn, Fort Scott Family Dental, Crain Insurance Agency, 3d Alternator & Starter Repair, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Security 1st Title, Walmart Fort Scott, Fort Scott Walgreens, Treasure Hunt Flea Market, and Don’s Spirits and Wines. Thanks to The Butcher Block for ordering our hot dogs.
*  Fort Scott High School Thespians for providing face painting.
*  Fort Scott High School Pride for helping with any needs.
*  Communities In Schools: Lewis Dunkeson and crew helping cook hot dogs and other assistance.
*  Bill Michaud for use of the Empress Event Center for cooking and staging the hot dogs and other lunch items.
*  Kate Freeman of The Artificers for making our photo backdrop.
Hallie Coulter and Isabelle Coulter, wait for their dad to take their photo at the Halloween photo backdrop before the parade on Oct. 30.
*  Fort Scott Community College Cheerleading and Dance Team for volunteer service for the hot dog lunch, setup, and cleanup.
* Mark McCoy and the City of Fort Scott Police Department for providing traffic control.
*  Fort Scott Tribune and FortScott.Biz for coverage of the event.
* Tina Lipe, Alexa Metcalf, and Erin Vann for running errands for us for supplies.
*  volunteers including Greg and Rita Schroeder, Angela and Kendrick Simon, Beth Nuss, and Kendall Madison.