Monthly Archives: February 2022
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Feb. 1
FSCC Closed Due to Weather
Due to inclement weather, ALL Fort Scott Community College locations will be closed Wednesday, February 2nd. Stay safe, Stay warm Greyhounds!
CHC/SEK has free N95 masks available for the public
CHC/SEK has free N95 masks available for the public
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is among the first 100 community health centers across the country to receive shipments of N95 masks for free public distribution to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
The non-surgical N95 masks are available for pick up at all CHC/SEK locations beginning Friday, Feb. 4. Pending availability, every person is allowed up to three free masks at the direction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is providing the masks.
The rollout of free N95 masks is part of the Biden administration’s effort to distribute 400 million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile via pharmacies and community health centers. Some of the participating pharmacies include CVS, Walgreens and Kroger.
The masks distribution program is the largest deployment by the Strategic National Stockpile to date and is also the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history, according to Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Americans wear “the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently,” and it notes that different types of masks can offer different levels of protection.
“Loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection, layered finely woven products offer more protection, well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95s offer even more protection, and well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95s) offer the highest level of protection,” according to the CDC.
Also last week in the fight against the pandemic, the White House and U.S. Postal Service opened the website COVIDTests.gov for Americans to request four free at-home COVID-19 tests.
CONSERVATION THROUGH THE ARTS
Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Fort Scott Kan. – Saturday, February 19, 2022, Fort Scott National Historic Site and Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge are presenting the 29th annual national Junior Duck Stamp art contest. Art programs will run from 10am-noon and 2pm-3:30pm and all students in kindergarten through grade twelve are encouraged to participate in the art and conservation message contest. Participants need to check in at the park’s Visitor Center at 10am and 2pm for directions.
During the program participants will learn more about types of waterfowl and also what the judges look for in the artwork. Participants will create original artwork using watercolors, crayon, or pencil. Because students express themselves best in different formats, the conservation message contest gives them an opportunity to use the written word to express their knowledge. Submissions of your Junior Duck Stamp entry may be made on this day at the park or to the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita for Kansas entries. Entry forms will be available and all entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2022.
Margaret McMullen, an 18-year-old from Kansas, took top honors in the Service’s National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest with her acrylic rendition of a pair of Hooded Mergansers. The winning conservation message was by Josie Arp, 15, of Arkansas with her message: “When the world turned upside-down nature calmly and quietly laid a blanket of comfort over us all.”
The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program began in 1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp. The first national Junior Duck Stamp art contest was held in 1993. The stamp encourages students to explore their natural world, participate in outdoor recreation activities, and learn wildlife management principles. National Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives $1,000. The second-place winner receives $500; the third-place winner receives $200; the Conservation Message winner receives $200. Other prizes are awarded at the state level for each age category.
The National Park Service currently requires that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in all federal buildings and outside when others are present and physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot be maintained.
Credit Photo as Margaret McMullen Artwork
KS Tax Collections Exceed Estimates
Governor Laura Kelly Announces January Total Tax Collections Continue to Exceed Estimates
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced that total tax collections for January were $944.5 million. That is $119.6 million, or 14.5%, more than the monthly estimate. This is also an 18.7% growth over January 2021.
“Over the past three years my administration has taken steps to restore the Kansas economy, and that fiscal responsibility has paved the way to provide direct tax relief to Kansas taxpayers,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “That relief will come specifically through proposals like axing the state’s sales tax on food. I urge the Legislature to send a clean bill to my desk quickly, so we can get this done for Kansas families.”
Individual income tax collections were $542.2 million. That is $82.2 million, or 17.9%, more than the estimate and 18.4% more than the previous January. Wage withholding remains strong going into 2022 reflecting both improved statewide employment and accompanying wage growth.
Retail sales tax collections were $258.2 million for January. This is $18.2 million, or 7.6%, more than the estimate and 14.9% more than January 2021. Compensating use tax collections also exceeded estimates by 5.2%. Those collections are also 30.2% more than the previous January. Both retailer’s sales tax and compensating use tax collections established new monthly collection records in January 2022.
“Individual income tax, corporate income tax, retailer’s sales tax, and compensating use tax all continue to perform well as the state’s primary revenue sources,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said. “Increased holiday spending in December accounts in large part for the record sales and compensating use tax collections in January.”
View the tax receipts here.
Obituary of Bobbe Ward
Bobbe Ellen Ward, 91, passed away on January 29 at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott where she had resided for the past few years. Bobbe was born on July 4, 1930, in Uniontown, Kansas to Alton and Ellen (Roberts) Clark. She graduated from Uniontown High School.
She married Daniel S. Ward on July 24,1948, in Redfield, Kansas, and he preceded her in death May 9, 2013.
During her husband’s time in the military, she lived in Florida and California, eventually returning to Fort Scott. Bobbe worked as a teacher’s aide and a secretary at Eugene Ware Elementary School for many years.
Bobbe was a member of the First United Methodist Church where over the years she had been involved in Methodist Women, Sunday school, volunteer activities and Cub Scout den mother. She enjoyed square dancing, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, her coffee group with long-time friends and preparing meals after church on Sunday for her growing family. She loved attending sport and school activities.
Bobbe had the gift of laughter and those that had the pleasure of knowing her never saw her in a bad mood. At Guest Home Estates, the staff called her “their cheerleader.”
Bobbe is survived by two sons, Clark Ward and wife Marla of Bella Vista, Arkansas; and Mark Ward and wife Lisa, Fort Scott; one daughter Rebecca Allen of Fort Scott; eight grandchildren, Daniel Ward, Abby Stepps and husband Trent; Jacki Ferrier and husband Ryan; Joce Renfro and husband Jordan; Christopher Allen; Lauren Ammons; Alex and Austin Ward; four great-grandchildren, Eden Cazares, Tayte, Beighlor, and Trae Stepps.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dan; sister Sylvia Bybee and brother Richard Clark.
Following cremation, private family graveside services will be held at the Fort Scott National Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Meals on Wheels and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Fly the Flag Installation Project Subscriptions Continue
Friends Now Accepting New and Renewed Subscriptions for U.S. Flags
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is taking new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag project. The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays during 2022 without the hassle of purchasing, placing, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :
Memorial Day, May 30th
Flag Day, June 14th
Fourth of July, July 4th
Labor Day, September 5th
Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Agreements for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone or text. Contact Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484. Renewals notices are being mailed/e-mailed to 2021 subscribers. Questions can be directed to Kelley or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924.
Both new agreements and renewals must be returned by March 31, 2022.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include: Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
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Fort Scott Knights of Columbus Continue Tradition of Support
The Fort Scott Knights of Columbus Council #796 continue to show their support for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services. Council #796 donated $537.87 raised during the 2021 Tootsie Roll Drive to Tri-Valley. This donation will help support client services and actively assist our neighbors with I/DD in their pursuit of community inclusion. The donation is appreciated by everyone associated with Tri-Valley.
Submitted by : Tricia Campbell
Special Projects Coordinator
Tri-Valley Developmental Services
Government Makes Free N95 Masks Available
The Biden Administration announced on Jan. 19 that N95 masks will be available to the public from the government’s Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the protective masks on hand, according to Free N95 masks: Biden administration plans to give away 400M masks | AP News. The masks will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country.
Currently, Walmart Fort Scott has the N95 masks for distribution, according to a call to their pharmacy on Feb. 1.
A spokeswoman for Fort Scott Walgreens Pharmacy on Jan. 31 said their location will not be allocated these free masks.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Fort Scott clinic will have them available on Feb. 4.
“We received five pallets of masks Friday,” Krista Postai, CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, said. “There is a limit of three per person per the guidance we received.”
“We received a shipment of 20,000 Honeywell adult masks Friday evening,” Robert Poole, CHC Communication and Marketing Director, Pittsburg, Kansas, said. “We are in the process of getting those redistributed to our clinics. They should be available to pick up in all of our clinics by (this) Friday.
To view the latest statistics of COVID in Kansas: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas
To view the particulars of the mask: https://www.honeywellstore.com/store/products/molded-cup-n95-face-mask-respirators-dc300n95.htm
Free N95 masks were to be available to pick up at local pharmacies and community health center sites across the country.
Every person is allowed up to 3 free masks, pending availability.
Wearing a mask is a critical way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/masks/index.html
Masks and respirators, when worn consistently and correctly, are effective at reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The CDC recommends that one wear the most protective mask that one can and that it fits well over your nose, mouth, and chin.
Fort Scott City Closings Due to Feb. 2-3 Snowstorm
In anticipation of the impending winter storm please be aware of the following cancellations:
City Brush Dump Site: Closed Thursday, February 3rd, 2022
Gunn Park: Closed to the Public after 3:30 p.m. today, February 1st, 2022
Riverfront Park: Closed to the Public after 3:30 p.m. today, February 1st, 2022
Municipal Court: No Court held on Thursday, February 3rd, 2022
Local Missing Children Are Found
On January 31st, 2022 the Fort Scott Police Department received information that 14-year-old Allison Barnett and 13-year-old Rylan Miller were missing.
After school, the two walked away from the Fort Scott Middle School together and did not return home.
Allison was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black leggings, eyeglasses, and a white and blue backpack.
Rylan was last seen wearing a black jacket with a black hoodie underneath it, eyeglasses, and a black backpack.
On February 1st at approximately 10:30 a.m., the children were located near Deerfield, Mo after receiving several tips from the public.
Submitted by:
Captain Jason Pickert
Fort Scott Police Department