Monthly Archives: December 2021

Kansas

Heavy Winds are Causing Power Outages

Leave a comment

Evergy Crews Responding as Windy Conditions Persist

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Dec. 15, 2021 – Due to heavy winds across Kansas and Missouri, Evergy crews are responding to power outages to restore power to affected customers. As of mid-afternoon Wednesday, outages were limited and scattered, but gusty winds (up to 70 mph) are expected to become more intense through midnight Wednesday.

Proactive maintenance work, including tree trimming, helps reduce the impact of storms and wind on the power grid, but prolonged or extreme winds still pose a threat to the power grid and may cause outages.

Customers are encouraged to take steps to prepare for potential outages. Keep phones and other electronics charged. Have flashlights, batteries, water and non-perishable food on hand, as well as a communication plan for family members to connect if an emergency situation occurs.

Customers may report outages at Evergy.com. They also may sign up for outage text alerts when their account is registered online. Evergy’s automated outage reporting lines can accept thousands of calls per hour to serve customers in need.. Outages may be reported by phone at:

    • Evergy Central 1-800-LIGHTKS (800-544-4857) or
    • Evergy Metro, Missouri West 1-888-LIGHTKC (888-544-4852)

Coming into contact, even indirectly, with a power line can cause extreme injury and could be fatal. High winds and storms could cause tree limbs to blow into power lines or result in downed powerlines. If a branch or other debris is in contact with a power line, do not attempt to remove it. Assume downed power lines are energized and keep a distance of at least 10 feet from them. If a downed line is in a heavily trafficked area, report it to 9-1-1. Downed lines can also be reported via Evergy’s outage reporting lines.

 

– 30 –

 

Bourbon County, Sheriff's Office

Fundraiser for Accident Victim Dec. 17

Leave a comment

 

Nelson and Euna Blythe. Submitted photo.

On Sunday evening, November 7th, Nelson and his wife, Euna, were driving in a car east of Uniontown on Hwy. 54.

They struck a cow in the road.

“Nelson sustained minor injuries, however, Euna wasn’t as lucky,” Bourbon County Sheriff’s Deputy  Trey Sharp said. “She was life-flighted to Kansas University  Medical Center and has been there since the night of the accident. Nelson has been by her side throughout this whole time. We were told it may be up to a year before we will know the significance of her brain injury.”

“Nelson started his career with the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office and is currently working for the Linn County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Bill Martin said.   “Nelson has assisted the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office since he has been with Linn County.   Deputies and support staff with the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office still consider Nelson as part of the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office family.”

The sheriff’s department has organized a benefit event to help defray the costs of the catastrophic accident to the Blythe family.

“Nelson and Euna have medical insurance, but we all know insurance will not always cover all medical bills,” Sharp said. “We also have to think about their everyday life and how they are going to pay their normal bills that come with life. Nelson has been off work since the night of the wreck, which creates financial stress. This event is simply to raise money for them to hopefully relieve some of the financial stress and so they can focus on helping Euna recover and come back home.”

The fundraising event is Friday, December 17th, 2021  from 6 pm – 11 pm at The Liberty Theater, downtown Fort Scott.

Following the event, either Nelson or a family member will be provided a check of the money that has been raised, Sharp said.

“Up to this point, we have had multiple different items donated to us and we are still gathering items as we speak,” Sharp said. “Organizing this event just shows us how a community will truly gather together to help someone in need. We have had people reach out to us who do not know us or Nelson, they just want to help. Some of the items we have are guns, grills, fire pits, certificates to different area businesses, sports memorabilia, and multiple different items. If you look at our Facebook page ‘Blythe Family Benefit’ it will show you every item we have had donated. We update the page daily.”

The rare gun was donated to raise funds for the Blythe family. Submitted photo.

“I would like to give a huge shout-out and thank you to Fort Scott Munitions,” Sharp said. “They have donated an extremely rare gun that has raised a tremendous amount of money so far. That gun is on an online raffle on their website. The link is also on our Facebook page as well.”

Latest News On Euna

“Euna has …been moved to a KU Med rehab center where she has made extreme strides throughout this recovery process,” Sharp said. “She still has a long road ahead of her. But the process she has made is nothing but a miracle. I had recently Facetimed her and Nelson. Euna was able to talk to me, she is sitting up, and is even walking with assistance.”

Government, Health Care, Kansas

KDHE Launches New Initiatives to Address Maternal Mortality

Leave a comment

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health to receive funding as part of the State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Partnership Programs to Reduce Maternal Deaths due to Violence. Additionally, KDHE, in partnership with Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KPQC), has been accepted to enroll into the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) for the October 2021 cohort. The Kansas maternal mortality rate of 14.8 (2014-2018) is 29.8% higher than the Healthy People 2020 goal of 11.4 maternal deaths per 100,0000 live births. These initiatives will help address the urgent matter of maternal mortality in Kansas.

“These initiatives will provide vital education and training to patients and providers across the state of Kansas,” said Janet Stanek Acting Secretary. “We are thankful for the ongoing collaboration with our partners across the state to implement these key initiatives to help in reducing the maternal mortality rate.”

Maternal Anti-Violence Innovation and Sharing Project

Through Kansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee (KMMRC) case reviews of maternal deaths in Kansas between 2016-2018, homicide was the second leading cause of maternal deaths with substance use disorder and/or mental health contributing to more than half of all pregnancy-associated deaths.

KDHE will work collaboratively with partners at the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), Kansas Connecting Communities (KCC), the KPQC and the KMMRC to launch the Maternal Anti-Violence Innovation and Sharing (MAVIS) Project to reduce maternal deaths in Kansas due to homicide and suicide.

The MAVIS Project will continue to build and expand on the success of the KMMRC to gather additional data related to violent maternal deaths. Additionally, the MAVIS Project will provide cross-training to perinatal care providers and domestic violence service providers related to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, perinatal substance use and intimate partner violence.

Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health

KMMRC has determined that approximately one in four deaths of women during or within one year of pregnancy were pregnancy-related, and over 90% of these deaths were preventable.

The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health will implement a maternal quality initiative project based on their Postpartum Discharge Transition Patient Safety Bundle. It offers a national forum to exchange innovative ideas and a resource for continuous improvement in maternal safety and quality.

Additional Maternal Health Initiatives

KDHE has partnered with KPQC to launch the Fourth Trimester Initiative (FTI), a statewide effort focused on improving maternal health and decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality for all Kansas mothers. FTI uses a three-pronged collaborative approach to address maternal health by including the patient, private and public sectors in education and awareness efforts, including over 25 birthing facilities across the state.

KDHE’s Maternal Warning Signs Initiative (MWS), a component of the FTI project, provides patient, partner and community education throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period on key topics such as the signs of preterm birth and stillbirth, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and warning signs of life-threatening pregnancy-related complications.

More information on maternal and child health is available on our website, kdheks.gov/c-f/mch.htm.

Bourbon County, Government

Press Release on Bourbon County Tax Statement Error

2 Comments
The Bourbon County Commission, Treasurer, Clerk, and Appraiser are providing this statement to inform taxpayers that the most recent tax statement mailed had an error on the USD 234 Recreation levied amount.

USD 234 Recreation published a levy of 2.612. When the abstract was produced the actual levy used was 4.437. The increase in the USD 234 Recreation levy will affect only those residents residing in the USD 234 school district.

Why did this happen?

Unfortunately, the increase in the levy was due to a clerical error when completing the levy abstract and the timing of notice from the State of Kansas.

The budget and levying process involves many units of government at the local and county levels. Senate Bill 13 and Senate Sub for House Bill 2104 changed the way that tax entities in the state of Kansas were required to report budgets for 2022.

Generally, County officials have from August 25th to November 1st to work through budgets, assessed valuation changes, mortgages, levied funds and any changes from the taxing entities. With the new law, county officials lost 30 working days as they only had October 1st to November 1st to work through changes of entities exceeding the revenue neutral rate and get a certified approval from the State. Below is a recap of the changes in the law:

  1. County Clerk will provide to taxing subdivisions on or before June 15 of each year their revenue neutral rate and include said rate on the notice of the estimated assessed valuation provided to each taxing subdivision for budget purposes.
  2. No tax rate in excess of the revenue neutral rate shall be levied by the governing body of any taxing subdivision unless a resolution or ordinance has been approved by the governing body according to the following procedures:
  3. At least 10 days in advance of the public hearing, the governing body shall publish notice of its proposed intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate by publishing notice: (A) On the website of the governing body, if the governing body maintains a website; and (B) in a weekly or daily newspaper of the county having a general circulation therein. The notice shall include, but not be limited to, its proposed tax rate, its revenue neutral rate and the date, time and location of the public hearing.
  4. On or before July 20, the governing body shall notify the county clerk of its proposed intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate and provide the date, time and location of the public hearing and its proposed tax rate.
  5. The public hearing to consider exceeding the revenue neutral rate shall be held not sooner than August 20 and not later than September 20. The governing body shall provide interested taxpayers desiring to be heard an opportunity to present oral testimony within reasonable time limits and without unreasonable restriction on the number of individuals allowed to make public comment. The public hearing may be conducted in conjunction with the proposed budget hearing pursuant to K.S.A. 79-2929, and amendments thereto, if the governing body otherwise complies with all requirements of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit additional public hearings that provide additional opportunities to present testimony or public comment prior to the public hearing required by this section.
  6. A majority vote of the governing body, by the adoption of a resolution or ordinance to approve exceeding the revenue neutral rate, shall be required prior to adoption of a proposed budget that will result in a tax rate in excess of the revenue neutral rate. Such vote of the governing body shall be conducted at the public hearing after the governing body has heard from interested taxpayers. If the governing body approves exceeding the revenue neutral rate, the governing body shall not adopt a budget that results in a tax rate in excess of its proposed tax rate as stated in the notice provided pursuant to this section.
  1. Any governing body subject to the provisions of this section that does not comply with subsection (b) shall refund to taxpayers any property taxes over-collected based on the amount of the levy that was in excess of the revenue neutral rate. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting any other remedies available under the law.
  2. If the governing body of a taxing subdivision must conduct a public hearing to approve exceeding the revenue neutral rate under this section, the governing body of the taxing subdivision shall certify, on or before October 1, to the proper county clerk the amount of ad valorem tax to be levied.
  3. After the first two years, in the event that a county clerk incurred costs of printing and postage that were not reimbursed pursuant to section 7, and amendments thereto, such county clerk may seek reimbursement from all taxing subdivisions required to send the notice. Such costs shall be shared proportionately by all taxing subdivisions that were included on the same notice based on the total property tax levied by each taxing subdivision. Payment of such costs shall be due to the county clerk by December 31.

Once budgets are forwarded to the county, the county clerk enters each taxing entities levies and budgets to be certified to the State of Kansas. Unfortunately, in order to get tax statements processed, statements were sent to the printers before hearing back from the State of Kansas. Bourbon County received notice of the error on December 6th. At this point in the process, tax statements had already been mailed and unable to be corrected.

What does this mean for taxpayers?

Bourbon County will collect the taxes at the higher rate and make a distribution to USD 234 Recreation. USD 234 Recreation will hold these funds in their account until the next taxing year. The additional revenue generated will be considered cash carryover and will automatically reduce the amount of taxes levied during the next budgeted year. The amount of taxes levied for the 2023 budget year will result in a levy lower than the adopted levy of 2.612 for 2022.

How much will my taxes increase?

A house that appraises at $50,000 will see an increase of approximately $10 for the year. A house that appraises at $150,000 will see an increase of approximately $31 for the year.

 

Contact Information

620.223.3800

County Commissioners:

Lynne Oharah – 1st District

Jim Harris – 2nd District

Clifton Beth – 3rd District

County Clerk: Ashley Shelton

County Treasurer: Patty Love

County Appraiser: Matt Quick
Obituary

Obituary of James Brett Dawson

1 Comment

James Brett Dawson, age 65, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Monday, December 13, 2021, at Advent Health in Shawnee Mission, KS. He was born January 9, 1956, in Kansas City, KS, the son of James “Jim” and Patricia Placke Dawson.

Brett enjoyed the Old West. He studied the history, did reenactments with the Border Creek Raiders, and acted in documentaries, movies, and a commercial. He met many interesting people in the industry. Brett recently found his passion in life teaching woodshop for Iola High School and CTE Construction for Neosho Community College.

He had a soft heart for all animals, especially horses. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, often playing pranks on them. Brett was a man of God willing to help anyone in need.

Survivors include his wife Debra of the home; 7 children, Amy Welch (Scott), Matt Dawson, Shawna Ivy (Milton), Hali Dawson, Brande Molina (Aaron), Victoria Wright, and Shelbi Neel; 15 grandchildren, Kalli, Kooper, Kinley, Karly, Dayton, Broc, Elisha, Alexis, Cameron, Arianna, Josie, JayJay, Jaymi, Kyng, and Kilo; a brother, Jeff Dawson; and a sister, Terri Diaz.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kalli Welch, a bother-in-law, Chris Wright, and his parents.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Friday Evening, December 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 Sunday afternoon January 9th, at the First Baptist Church in Mound City, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the Brett Dawson Scholarship 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.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Press Release for Dec. 13

Leave a comment
Fort Scott Middle School, 2019.

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, December 13, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.

President James Wood 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 – November 19, 2021 – $1,470,719.34

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity fund accounts­­­­­­

F.     Donation of wrestling mats

G.    High School Swim Team fundraising applications

H.    Increase in adult meal prices for breakfast and lunch

 

Jamie Armstrong, outgoing board member, was recognized for her years of service.  There were no comments in the public forum section.  Brenda Hill, Fort Scott KNEA President, shared information with the board.  Principals from each building shared written reports.  Ted Hessong, Superintendent, gave a report.  In addition, Superintendent Hessong gave an ESSER III update.

Andrea Scott, Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal, gave a presentation on the Fort Scott Preschool Center.  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 items:

A.    Resignation of Kaytelynd Keller, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective November 16, 2021

B.    Retirement of Alvin Metcalf, Sr., middle school teacher aide and middle school coach, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

C.    Resignation of Lacey Graham, bus driver, effective November 3, 2021

D.    Retirement of Pamela Milton, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

E.     Resignation of Alexandra VanSickle, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, effective December 16, 2021

F.     Resignation of Maggie Johnston, high school paraprofessional, effective November 23, 2021

G.    Resignation of Annyssa Davenport, high school paraprofessional, effective December 16, 2021

H.    Resignation of Gregg Sweet, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective December 10, 2021

I.      Leave of absence request from Caitlin Shrewsbury, Eugene Ware third grade teacher

J.      Change in work agreement for Wendy Budd, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, from a 7.5-hour day to an 8-hour day for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

K.    Employment of Judith Davis as a high school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

L.     Employment of Adrianne Wisdom as a high school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

M.   Employment of Charlie Hensley as a high school auto tech teacher aide for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

N.    Employment of Jennifer Herring as a Winfield Scott 6.5-hour cook for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year; Employment of Jennifer Herring as a 2-hour bus driver for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

O.    Employment of Shaunn Pytlowany as a four-hour bus driver for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

P.     Resignation of Tyler Bell, high school assistant wrestling coach, for the 2021-22 school year; resignation of Abigail Duffy, high school JV volleyball coach, effective November 8, 2021; resignation of Kelli Davis, high school freshman volleyball coach, effective November 8, 2021

Q.    Employment of Brendon Blackburn as a high school assistant wrestling coach for the 2021-22 school year

R.    Employment of Tyler Ericson as a Winfield Scott first grade teacher for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

 

The board adjourned.

 

Fort Scott, Housing

Sleeping Pods Are Planned For Fort Scott’s Homeless

28 Comments
The Warming Hearts in Fort Scott Sleeping Pods will look similar to this one. Submitted photo.

A recent city commission meeting decision prompted action by a group of residents to help the community’s homeless population during the winter months.

Following the Fort Scott City Commission passing an ordinance to allow basic tents in designated camping areas for homeless people, the group of concerned citizens began conversations about helping the homeless in the wintertime.

The core group of Warming Hearts in Fort Scott, the name proposed for the group, is Tonya Cliffman, Anne Dare, and Sarah Maike.

“Our goal is to assist in winter with temporary shelter, clothing, basic essentials, and nutrition,” Tonya Cliffman, one of the organizers of the project, said. “We want to build relationships to provide basic needs in hopes we can move them into more traditional housing in the future.”.

Tonya Cliffman from her Facebook page.

To that end, work has begun on two sleeping pods which are four-foot by five-foot by eight-foot wooden structures. These are being constructed by a small group of men who are donating their skills for the project, she said.

“(Those sleeping in the pods) can sit up, but not stand up, that way their body heat will keep them warm,” she said. “It has no heat or water, just a wooden insulated structure.”

“They are $1,000 each,” she said. “We are building the first one now.”

They will complete two pods by the first of the year and as soon as they have an individual to utilize the pod, that person will use it for the whole winter, she said.

The group reached out to the owner of a vacant lot, a former mobile home park, Patrick Wood, who permitted use of the lot for the project pending approval by the City of Fort Scott. That approval came at the Dec. 7 commission meetings.

The area is located at 19th and Horton Streets, just north of Community Christian Church (CCC).

CCC already has programs in place to provide showers and basic hygiene needs, plus food and some clothing, she said.

“CCC is my home church,” Cliffman said. “This is not a CCC project but they are supporting us.”

The group set up a fund at CCC for receiving the donations to the project, she said. “This is for transparency, accountability, and stewardship. We felt that is a great partnership.”

Once the pods are in place, the individuals who will be using the sleeping pods will have portable latrines and trash service provided, she said, and be told of the regulations to sleep in the pods.

This initial part of the project will provide the sleeping pods until March 31, Cliffman said.

Cliffman was able to visit with 15 out of the 18 residents that are on the block where permission was given for the sleeping pods, she said.

“I know the Lord’s hand is on this,” Cliffman said. “Doors are opening: we’ve been blessed with a location and some donations to get started. I’m following the gifts the good Lord gave me to do this.”

Facebook page to follow along on progress:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1758963627644201

A link to donate to the cause:  https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsquare.link%2Fu%2FvlWqsupK%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0MJZ72StGpxT2LUFEBHazoIC-yFIsUeNLx_aGckz1307kcXabEmFTmyxw&h=AT3rALx3zY7_yxqjlM-EsM2Ev8UEbz2qsgSRXrAIxZv57vdTPe9gwKxIzFcm11BOXEeXj7aESOwn_A3VYXsYdsoVGKd3XAskyGHRrLIVAeXhjWUgREYtJlWBMlHVqm5K_gCk&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT0eZ_iOSWcNYAEGcJuoJuQ8KZz2CFqTEig36EFyTBI025cbPswq7KfMGW3AcYQXYsYXmJ-SzeajqZPxwBbF_P-XEiO6YD4W56OMFPllDu3Eq62zcD3fdup2rhA42XOZmHSTz5oAehpwZlDsTuzX-k1ftjVyi-8rj4Af2l8At9iKwPGznq2xzV2-4h_1StsBC7-9EJsZyhXp_MZvxuI