The Fort Scott City Commission has an opening on the Airport Advisory Board
The function of the Airport Advisory Board is to advise the City Manager and City Commissioners on matters pertaining to the continued growth and improvement of the airport. Their recommendations are given to the City Commission for final approval.
If you have a desire to serve on this Board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission. All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on any boards, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by December 10th, 2021.
After ten and one-half years and coordinating 107,000 meals, Jean Tucker is stepping down from Feeding Families In His Name.
The ministry provides food to anyone on Wednesday evenings at the First United Methodist Church, Third Street and National Avenue, and Tucker has been the coordinator since its beginning.
The meal is provided for free to all who would like it.
“It’s for anybody,” Tucker said. “We’ve had new families drive through every week. It’s a free meal for the community.”
“Recently we have had caregivers who are worn down, and this (meal) is such a relief,” she said. “It’s for anyone who wants a warm home-cooked meal.”
The last meal that Tucker will coordinate is December 8.
That is 80th Tucker’s birthday.
“I am giving myself a birthday present,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I won’t have anything to do with the meal, I just won’t be responsible.”
“I ask that if you have any questions or contributions for Feeding Families In His Name that you contact the church office at 620.223.1950,” Tucker said. “The church secretary will direct your call to the appropriate person.”
Pastor Christopher Eshelman, Tom Braker and Bonnie Milburn have agreed to coordinate after Dec. 8, Tucker said.
Joey Beerbower will be in charge of the paper goods and Tom Coyan will be in charge of the kitchen and the commodities.
Over ten years ago Braker, along with Doug Altic saw a need to help families stretch their food budgets, she said. “Koyle Link, Don Tucker, Deborah Wood, Tom Braker and myself were on the original committee.”
“They went to the pastor at the time, Paul Babcock, then they called an emergency meeting and the administration board voted and approved unanimously to start the program,” Tucker said. “They were the impetus.”
“This has been God’s doing,” Tucker said. “We provide this meal because of God’s love.”
The first meal served 45 people, including the volunteer helpers, now 300 to 350 people being served on Wednesday evenings.
“We started to-go meals in March 2020 because of the pandemic and the numbers increased,” she said. “We don’t think we could go back to getting that many in our church basement.”
Several organizations cook for the meals.
The first Wednesday of each month, the St. Martin’s Academy students cook; on the second Wednesday, Community Christian Church and First United Methodist alternate cooking; on the third week, a Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene small group cook; on the fourth week, the Presbyterian Church cooks and on any fifth Wednesday, the Pioneer Kiwanis Club cooks. Fulton United Methodist Church cooks to fill in when others can’t, she said.
“Every week 15-20 people bake desserts for us,” she said.
Tucker said she is retiring because she is weary of the weekly repsoniblity, but is confident the ministry will continue.
Feeding Families in His Name offers a meal to Fort Scottians each Wednesday evening.
First United Methodist Church at Third Street and National Avenue, Fort Scott.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has reopened K-39 to through traffic between K-3 and U.S. 69. This section has been closed since April for replacement of the bridge over Pawnee Creek.
The detour route is being deactivated. Drive with care. Persons with questions may contact Iola Area Engineer Troy Howard, (620) 901-6557, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Pay Raise for State Employees in 24/7 Facilities to Address Staffing Shortages
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced a series of new pay initiatives designed to address critical staffing shortages at several 24/7 State facilities, including Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) facilities, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) state hospitals and the Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs Office (KCVAO) veterans’ homes.
“My administration and the Kansas Department of Corrections have worked over the past three years to address staffing shortages and overcrowding that have impacted corrections facilities for years,” Governor Kelly said. “But even after implementing a pay increase for corrections officers in 2019, Kansas, like the rest of the country, faced new challenges caused by COVID-19. This new pay plan is a necessary step to address the ongoing challenges brought on by the pandemic, support our efforts to prioritize public health and safety, and care for our most vulnerable populations.”
Kansas is not alone in staffing shortages. States across the U.S. have experienced critically low staffing levels in 24/7 facilities, including Nebraska, Florida, and Arkansas to name a few. Each of these states have implemented various pay plans designed to address similar staff shortages.
The Kansas plan is comprehensive and will provide both long-term and temporary pay increases, including a permanent base pay increase and temporary pay differentials, with “differential pay” defined as extra compensation for employees during extraordinary times of staff shortages.
The pay plan includes the following for state employees:
Permanent Base Pay Increases for all KDOC Job Classes & Nursing Job Classes
Temporary Pay Differentials for Hourly Employees in the following areas:
Differential #1: All 24/7 Facility Staff
Differential #2: Uniformed KDOC Security Staff at 24/7 Facilities
Differential #3: Nursing Staff at 24/7 Facilities
Differential #4: All Staff Working at 24/7 Facilities that are designated at “critical staffing levels” with 25% (or higher) vacancy rates.
One-Time, $3,500 Bonuses for Salaried Staff at KDOC, KDADS and KCVAO 24/7 facilities.
“The staff in our 24/7 facilities are the frontline workers for some of the most necessary and, frankly, thankless work that we do for Kansans,” Governor Kelly said. “These pay increases are well deserved – and my administration will continue working to support our state employees and their families.”
“Employees of the Kansas Department of Corrections are committed to their service to promote safer communities throughout the state. Never has that been more evident than over the past several months when staff vacancies have required our employees to take on more responsibilities and work longer hours to satisfy the agency’s mission,” KDOCSecretary Jeff Zmuda said. “The Governor’s pay plan recognizes the incredible contributions of our employees to public safety and provides a great incentive to retain their experience and commitment within the organization while providing an opportunity for relief as more job seekers join them in our workforce.”
“Governor Kelly’s plan is an excellent step towards making workers and the communities they serve safer,” KOSE President Sarah LaFrenz said. “These raises and pay differentials mean frontline workers like corrections officers and state hospital staff could finally get the safe staffing levels they need and proper pay for their unthinkable sacrifices on behalf of Kansans. As facilities around the nation face a staffing crisis that endangers the public, workers and their families – this plan shows real leadership by making this crisis and addressing it an actual priority. We will continue, as we always have, to advocate directly to the Governor, her administration, and the Kansas Legislature towards a final, long-term solution.”
Kansas law prohibits several employment-related bonus tools, like retention bonuses, for state employees that are available to other states. The law also limits the amount that can be paid to staff in a single Fiscal Year. Governor Kelly’s plan recommends the maximum bonus for salaried staff that is allowed under the current law.
The pay increases will be phased in with the base-pay increases taking effect during the next pay period, beginning November 28. Governor Kelly will issue an Executive Directive authorizing the initial pay increases and will pay for them with existing agency funds. She will work with Legislative leadership to fund the rest of the pay plan and get it fully implemented as soon as possible.
The incentive program focuses on, but is not limited to: juvenile corrections officers, corrections officers, nurses, and others who provide direct care. Additionally, Governor Kelly is also ordering KDOC to purchase and provide Multi-Threat Tactical Safety Vests to all Corrections Officers who work in 24/7 facilities.
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to accept the resignation of a City Commissioner and then go into Executive Session to discuss non-elected personnel in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1).
This meeting is open to the public, but the Executive Session is not.
Governor Laura Kelly signs Bill in Response to Federal Vaccine Mandate
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed CCR for HB 2001 into law, the bill passed during Kansas’ 2021 Special Session, which requires exemptions and eligibility for unemployment benefits.
The following statement can be attributed to Governor Laura Kelly:
“I have been clear that I believe it is too late to impose a federal standard. States have been leading the fight against COVID-19 for nearly two years. I know there are Kansans who believe this legislation goes too far, and there are others who believe this legislation doesn’t go far enough. But I was elected to lead, and leadership means seeking compromise.
“This bill is the result of compromise in action. Now that it is signed, we need to turn our attention towards pressing issues like growing our economy and passing my plan to Axe the Food Tax, so we can put money back into everyday Kansans’ pockets.”
More information about CCR for HB 2001 can be found here.
The KCC weighs in on Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan emphasizing the need for regionally competitive rates, reliable service
TOPEKA – In an order issued this morning, the Kansas Corporation Commission noted concerns with Evergy’s Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) and added reporting requirements to evaluate whether the STP is making progress toward regionally competitive rates and reliable electric service.
Today’s order does not attempt to decide the merits of the program or associated investments, those issues will be decided in Evergy’s future rate cases. However, the Commission did outline the following questions and concerns:
How will the costs associated with the STP impact rates? It is important to achieve and maintain regionally competitive retail rates, and it is unclear at this time whether the STP improves or worsens the trajectory of rates.
More transparency is needed on Evergy’s projections of future spending increases. The original STP envisioned $8.9 billion in capital expenditure spending from 2020 through 2024. However, in its September 21, 2021 Investor Presentation, Evergy extended its projections through 2025, increasing its proposed 5-year spending to $10.4 billion.
The Commission remains concerned over Elliott Management’s role in encouraging and developing the STP, noting that as a regulated utility, Evergy should not prioritize shareholder interests to the detriment of ratepayer interests.
Evergy developed the plan after entering into an agreement with Elliott Management to increase shareholder values through a standalone plan to cut expenses and increase capital expenditures, or a merger transaction. In response, the Commission opened a general investigation to protect the interests of ratepayers and provide KCC staff, stakeholders and Evergy an opportunity to collaborate and evaluate the STP. Four informational workshops were held and 1,472 members of the public submitted comments.
Today’s order directs Evergy to explain the increased spending in its 5-year projections and the impact it will have on rates in a Capital Plan filing due on February 28, 2022. In addition, Evergy is required to file reports on its key performance indicators so the Commission can determine if the company is executing the STP successfully and making progress toward regionally competitive rates and reliable electric service.
PRATT – There’s no better deal than “free” and this Friday, there’s no better place to snag that deal than at a Kansas state park. This Black Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, entrance fees will be waived at all Kansas state parks as part of the nationwide #OptOutside initiative.
Those who visit any of Kansas’ 28 state parks on Nov. 26 will also have a chance to win a free night’s stay in a Kansas state park cabin of their choice. To enter, visitors must simply take a “selfie” within any Kansas state park and share it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the tags #OptOutside and #MyKsStatePark.
#OptOutside – the brainchild of outdoor retail giant REI – began after REI executives closed all 150-plus stores for a day in 2015 and paid more than 13,000 employees to instead spend the day outside. It’s since become an annual event for REI, state parks across America and the millions of people who opt to spend the day outside and enjoy nature.
“We couldn’t be more excited to once again offer free entrance to Kansas’ state parks on Black Friday,” said Linda Lanterman, director of Kansas State Parks. “Being outside in nature does wonders for our physical and mental health, so I hope everyone opts to go outside this year and enjoy a Kansas state park as part of their holiday experience.”
To find a Kansas state park nearest you, and to make camping reservations year-round, visit www.ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks.
