Monthly Archives: May 2022

Opinion

Tax and Spend by Gregg Motley

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I have relatives that live in Georgia who want to move back to their home state of Kansas to retire, but are taken aback by the additional taxes they must pay for the privilege of living here.  I have been providing them with data on the tax rates of different counties.  They cannot justify the additional $200,000+ in taxes it would take to live here over the course of their retirement just to be closer to family.

 

The Tax Foundation, Inc. (www.taxfoundation.org) calculates state rankings by taking the taxes paid for all purposes across the state and dividing by the number of residents to come up with a statewide number; Federal taxes are excluded.  They have been accumulating and reporting this data since 1937.  They report that Kansas ranked 20th out of the 50 states at $5,185 per person, according to the latest data from 2018.  Parsing the data between state and local taxes made no difference in our ranking.

 

Tax collections of $11,311 per capita in the District of Columbia surpass those in any state. The three states with the highest tax collections per capita are New York ($9,829), Connecticut ($8,494), and North Dakota ($7,611). The three states with the lowest tax collections per capita are Tennessee ($3,286), Alabama ($3,527), and South Carolina ($3,705).

 

Kansas ranks worst among all the surrounding states, except Nebraska, which ranks 17th and collects about $179 per person more than we do.  The best ranked state is our area is Oklahoma at $3,850 per person, earning them a ranking of 45th; Missouri is not far behind at 41st.

 

The first comparison that potential new residents consider is the cost of property taxes on houses; I don’t have to tell you that we fail that comparison miserably.  One can only conclude that the cost of government for all purposes inside our state boundaries is too high.

 

The good news for Kansas is that we are number two on the list of the Cost of Living Index, as compiled by the Council for Community & Economic Research; only Mississippi had a lower cost of living.  Of our Midwest neighbors, Oklahoma is 4th and Missouri is 7th.  For highly taxed Nebraska, the news is not as good, as they were ranked 19th of the 50 states.

 

If Kansas and Bourbon County want to promote economic development, we need to address this issue.  If we can’t convince relatives who were born and raised here to come back for retirement, what chance do we have with those who have never lived here?  Local governments must look at ways to cooperate across jurisdictional lines to share resources and save expenses.  It is the only way I can see that will give us the opportunity to lower taxes while not making drastic cuts to services.  It is imperative for us to take action unless we want to continue to divide the increasing cost of government services amongst a declining population base well into the future.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Estate Planning Informational Meeting set

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Joy Miller. Submitted photo.

Southwind Extension District

Family and Consumer Sciences

 

Estate Planning Informational Meeting set

 

No matter how modest, everything you own is considered a part of your estate. Additionally, no matter how large or small your net worth is, everybody has something to pass on to their heirs.

 

An estate plan will help ensure that your wishes for your possessions are followed — especially when you are not around to give the direction. Without a plan, state law will provide the processes for your estate settlement, and your wishes may not be considered.

 

Join Joy Miller and Barbara Stockebrand, Southwind Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agents for “Estate Planning: Beginning the Process” on May 19, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at Bourbon County Fairgrounds 4-H Building in Fort Scott.

 

Learn estate planning terms, who should do estate planning and why, and some of the steps involved with estate planning.

 

Please register by calling 620-625-8620 or emailing [email protected]. There is no charge for this event.

Everyone is invited to attend.

 

 

Obituary

Obituary of James Emmerson

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James (Jim) Edwin Emmerson, age 77 of rural Fort Scott, KS, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022, surrounded by family.

Jim was born August 29, 1944, in Fort Scott, KS, the son of John and Evelyn Emmerson.  Jim graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1962.

Jim was a lifelong farmer in the Hammond community.  He enjoyed flying, building, and participating in EA (Experimental Aircraft Association).  He was a long-time attendee each summer at the EAA Convention in Oshkosh, WI. Airplanes were his passion, but they took a backseat to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He enjoyed spending time with them by attending their sporting events, recitals, and school programs.

Survivors include his three daughters, Sherri, and husband David Nash of Peculiar, MO, Angie and husband Joe Dauben of Texas, and Suzanne and husband Matt Quick of Fort Scott, KS.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren; Adrienne Rinehart and husband Brendan, Meredith Marshall, and husband Colin, Dakotah Gettler, Benjamin Gettler and wife Ashley, Samantha Nash, Peyton Quick, Grayson Quick, and four great-grandchildren; Lucas Nash, Selah and Emerson Marshall, and Oliver Gettler.  In addition, he is survived by his brother Fred Emmerson and wife Peggy, his sister Marilyn Hill and husband Tom, several nieces and nephews, and his former wife, Rita Johnston-Emmerson.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy Emmerson, and his parents John and Evelyn Emmerson.

 

The family will hold a private gathering at a later time.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Capper Foundation and may be left in the care of 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.

 

Government, Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly Vetoes Three Bills

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TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed Substitute for Senate Bill 34, House Bill 2387, and House Bill 2252, and signed Senate Bill 313.

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Substitute for Senate Bill 34:

I have consistently opposed vaccine passports and mandating any COVID-19 vaccination. However, this bill goes beyond COVID-19 and implements a one-size-fits-all approach for all infectious diseases. It significantly limits any government entity’s response to any infectious disease outbreak.

As a result, this legislation creates significant safety concerns for workers, for employers, for the economy, and for all Kansans. Schools could not adequately respond to an outbreak of measles in a classroom, and manufacturing facilities could not respond to a tuberculosis outbreak.

Beyond that, our agricultural sector could not continue to fight the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). We have a responsibility to protect our critically important agricultural industry and the farmers and ranchers who feed the nation.

We need to be prepared for what’s down the road to best protect Kansans. This bill puts the safety of all Kansans and our economy at risk.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Substitute for Senate Bill 34.

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of HB 2387:

Having a transparent, competitive bidding process is key to ensuring that our state contracts provide the most value to Kansas taxpayers while using the latest technology and best practices. This is not only good for the State of Kansas, but also for our current MCOs and the people they serve.

The language included in HB 2387 regarding the current MCO contracts is a product of closed-door dealings to push legislation that did not have a single proponent. There is little question that this effort is fraught with legal issues and jeopardizes our Medicaid program. HB 2387 prohibits the state Medicaid agency from pursuing the state’s independent procurement process and, by doing so, functionally provides the current MCOs with a no-bid, multi-billion-dollar, contract.

We must favor transparency and fair competition over attempts to re-insert corruption into the state contracting process.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto HB 2387.

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2252:

Elected officials must be able to perform their job duties effectively and efficiently. By prohibiting executive branch officers, including the Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, from entering into agreements regarding the enforcement of election law, this bill prevents the executive branch from fulfilling its constitutional duties. House Bill 2252 represents an overreach by the legislative branch that defies the separation of powers – a principle fundamental to a working democracy. If passed, it would also lead to costly litigation at the expense of Kansas taxpayers.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2252.

Governor Kelly also signed Senate Bill 313 which provides for the use and regulation of autonomous motor vehicles and establishes the Autonomous Vehicle Advisory Committee. More information about SB 313 can be found here.

Area News

Addressing Youth Suicide

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Mark your calendar!

After a very successful first webinar series that focused on awareness of youth suicide, we’re happy to follow it up with a second series. This series will focus on what you can do in your own community to help bridge the gap between awareness and action.
More information, such as series schedule and registration instructions will be shared as it gets closer.
Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Commission Agenda for May 17

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Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: May 17, 2022
1st District–Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Jennifer Hawkins – Permit Request
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer Comment
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment

Area News, Health Care

Opioid and Stimulant Conference Nov. 10

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The 6th Annual Kansas Opioid and Stimulant Conference will take place on November 10th, at the Hotel Topeka, formerly the Topeka Capitol Plaza.

Due to the significant rise in psychostimulant overdoses in Kansas, the conference has expanded to include topics related to stimulant prevention, treatment, and recovery for the second year.

DCCCA, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee present the conference.
Wednesday

November 10
2022

 

VIEW WEBSITE

 

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

 

Call for Proposals Open Now Until August 31
Proposals will be requested for workshops that emphasize knowledge-sharing, skill-building, practical application, and audience engagement. Sessions should focus on emerging trends, building skills and knowledge, and advocacy for best practices to address the prescription drug, opioid, or stimulant crises across disciplines. Proposals should fit into one of the following topic areas associated with opioids and/or stimulants: prevention, provider education, prescribing, pain management, treatment, recovery, intervention, neonatal abstinence syndrome, naloxone, first response, criminal justice, or law enforcement. Note: Presenters may submit proposals on other topics; however, they must relate to prescription drug, opioid, and/or stimulant prevention, treatment, or recovery.

 

Submit Your Presentation Proposal Now

 

Registration Opens: September 15, 2022

 

 

View Conference Website at https://www.dccca.org/events/2022-kansas-opioid-stimulant-conference/

 
Our mailing address is:
DCCCA Inc.
3312 Clinton Parkway
Lawrence, KS 66047
Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Minutes of April 18

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FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
April 18, 2022
The Board departed FSCC at 4:30 p.m. and took a tour of the Harley Davidson facility led by Santos Manrique and
Mike Mathes starting at 4:50 p.m. Upon the Board’s arrival at the CTEC facility, CTEC Board members introduced
themselves and shared the impact of CTEC upon their schools and students.
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Dave Elliott, Kirk Hart, Bryan Holt, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff, and CTEC Board
members
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.at the Crawford Technical Education Center
(CTEC). The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: None
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Carl Ball, a Harley Davidson student who is a Harley Davidson instructor
in Canada, discussed his experiences with FSCC’s program, including how he plans to incorporate lessons learned
from his FSCC experience in his own program in Canada.
Kris Mengarelli led the Board on a tour of the CTEC facility.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the consent agenda.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. A motion was by Nelson, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve Elite Construction
Service, Inc’s bid for $43,310.00 for the Greyhound Lodge renovation, with the provision that Elite be
required to show proof of bonding and insurance.
B. A motion was made by Hart, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the
memorandum of understanding with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center for dual credit courses
through Greenbush Blended Learning Programs.
C. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the food
service agreement with Great Western Dining.
D. A motion was made by Nelson, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote to confirm emeritus
status for this year’s retirees.
ITEMS FOR REVIEW: The Board reviewed items of correspondence.
REPORTS:
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard updates from the Gordon Parks Museum, Miami
County Campus, Instruction, Finance and Operations, Student Affairs, and the President.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
7:13 p.m. by Elliott, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk12

Fort Scott Community College, Government

The Fort Scott Board of Trustees Agenda for May 16

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May 16, 2022
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, May
16, 2022. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at Fort Scott Community
College.
5:00 p.m. Dinner in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at 5:00 followed by regular board meeting at
5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Financial Aid Report, 4
D. Student Housing Tour, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 11
A. Approval of Agenda, 11
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on April 18, 2022, 12
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 15
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 11
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 72
A. Consideration of Chemistry Fee Revision, 72
ITEMS FOR REVIEW, 73
REPORTS, 77
A. Administrative Updates, 77
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 100
ADJOURNMENT, 1011

May 5, 2022
FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
In the month of April 2022, the following were accomplished:
• Presented at the Senior Day “Welcome” to students and parents.
• Assisted students and parents at the John Deere orientation/enrollment.
• Kansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (KASFAA) Spring conference was
attended by the Assistant Director, Elijah Root.
• Assisted with Endowment Dinner check-in table.
• Volleyball recruits came to FA for information on their Fall ’22 FAFSA applications and checked
status. Informed them if any documents were missing for packaging aid.
• Attended the TRiO scholarship recognition luncheon.
• Helped with Ladies Luncheon decorating
• Set up in POISE new Pell grid and Cost of Attendance/Budgets for the 2022-23 academic year.
• Tested and packaged first Pell and Loan awards for 2022-23.
• Continue to download 2021-2022 FAFSA information and award for Summer
• Weekly download and document tracking of 2022-2023 FAFSAs.
• Weekly disbursement of any new Pell, Loan, or scholarship awards for Spring 2022.
• Worked on data required for the annual Cares Act/HEERF report.
• Contacted any students with pending non-accepted awards for the Spring ’22 semester.
• Cosmetology second half loans were disbursed.
Current data for 2021-2022:
Total count of downloaded Student Aid Reports (SARs): 3,240
Total unduplicated applicants: 2,041
Direct Loan Disbursements: $1,130,850.00 (279 students)
Pell Disbursements: $2,136,613.00 (499 students)
Bourbon County Waivers $ 139,764.00 (250 includes HS and Post-
secondary)
Included with this report is an explanation of our contract with our third-party servicer,
Ascendium Education Solutions and the part they play in keeping the Cohort Default Rate (CDR)
for FSCC within the federal limits to be an eligible institution to distribute federal financial aid.
The following is an excerpt from the 2021-2022 Federal Student Aid Handbook:
A school’s annual CDR is based on a “cohort” of students who received FFEL or Direct Loans at
the school and entered repayment in a single fiscal year—the federal fiscal year, October 1–
September 30.5

Consequences of high cohort default rates
Schools face sanctions under the following conditions:
• For a cohort default rate of greater than 40 percent for any year, schools
lose eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan Program.
• For a default rate of 30 percent or more for any year, schools must create
a default prevention taskforce that will develop and implement a plan to
address the high default rate. That plan must be submitted to the
Department for review.
• For a default rate of 30 percent or more for a second consecutive year,
schools must submit to the Department a revised default prevention plan
and may be placed on provisional certification.
• For a cohort default rate of 30 percent or more for three consecutive years,
schools lose eligibility to participate in both the Direct Loan Program and
the Federal Pell Grant Program.
Ascendium Education Services/Cohort Catalyst provides both personal and electronic outreach
to student loan borrowers in two different ways:
Phone calls to borrowers while in their 6-month grace period to provide
important information about who their individual Loan Servicer is, how to
contact them, and when the payment period will begin.
Phone calls and emails to inform borrowers that they are delinquent on
payments and how they can assist to get them back in good standing by
qualifying for either a deferment or forbearance.
Included with this report are two documents:
1) FSCC Cohort Catalyst Activities and Outcomes
2) National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Cohort Default Rate History List. This list
shows past years that had low rates and then the steady increase that was
concerning to the FA office and brought about a switch to Ascendium’s services.
If you have any questions, I will be present at the May 16th board meeting.
Submitted by,
Lillie Grubb
Financial Aid Director

CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1) Attached are the minutes of the Board Training and Regular Board Meeting
conducted on April 18, 2022.
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Additions
a) Jordan Andrews, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach, effective May 9, 2022
b) Kaylena Andersen, Women’s Basketball Head Coach, effective May 4, 2022
c) Luke Demko, Athletic Director, effective May 16, 2022
d) Alyssa Martin, Athletic Training Technician, effective May 16, 2022
e) Jaelen Milus, Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach, effective May 16, 2022
f) Jay Allen, Director of S.T.A.R.S., effective June 1, 2022


2) Separations
a) Dee Yount, Cheer Assistant Coach, effective April 18, 2022
b) Tonya Umphenour, Cosmetology Instructor, effective May 1, 2022
c) Hunter Reed, Rodeo Assistant Coach, effective May 9, 2022
d) Kim Boyer, English Instructor, effective May 14, 2022
e) Jordyn Alexander, Women’s Basketball Head Coach, effective May 16, 2022
f) Cara Folsom, Athletic Training Technician, effective May 16, 2022
g) JoDee Smith, TRIO Database Manager, effective May 20, 2022
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bartelsmeyer Elliott Fewins
Hart Holt Nelson

To view the entire 101 page packet:

5.16.22 Consent Agenda

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Fort Scott Public Library May Newsletter

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We hope you enjoy the Fort Scott Public Library newsletter. If you don’t want to receive future editions, you can unsubscribe using the link in this newsletter, or email [email protected], and we will remove your address from the list.

Adult Summer Reading Challenge

(Sorry, no party)
June 1-August 31, 2022

  • Join us for our Adult Summer Reading Challenge.
  • Read one book.
  • Tell us the author and title of what you read using the online form on our webpage or drop by the library, and the employee at the circulation desk will record the information for you.
  • While supplies last you will receive a bookbag for participating.
  • We encourage you to read more than one book this summer, but you only need to tell us that you’ve read one.
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Drop by our website to find out the latest library news
New Books

Kids
Violet the bear has awoken early from her hibernation, but she doesn’t know why. She’s called on Shelby and Watts to solve the case before her son, Theodore, is roused from his hibernation, too. With Shelby’s deductive skills and Watts’s scientific know-how, they’ll leave no stone unturned or question unanswered.
A collection of poems celebrating the playfulness of the English language.
The role of First Lady has been defined differently by each woman who’s held it, but all of them left an impact on our nation as partner of the commander in chief. Incisive poetry by Marilyn Singer and energetic art by Nancy Carpenter provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of women–from Martha Washington to Eleanor Roosevelt to Lady Bird Johnson–who variously embraced the position and shied away from it, craved the spotlight and fiercely guarded their privacy, took controversial stands and championed for the status quo.
An unlikely friendship forms between a great white shark and a robot when they bond over a favorite book series, then stand–and dance–together against playground bullies.
Artists ask questions when they make art and viewers ask questions when they look at art. This gently provocative book provides an engaging way for young people to start asking and answering questions for themselves. Why is art full of naked people? is structured around 22 questions, each one tackled over two spreads. The opening spread explores the question and answer, inviting the reader to study a full-bleed image of an important artwork. The second spread shows a selection of work on the theme from across history, showing how art can run with an idea to hugely different ends.

Teens
In this story inspired by Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” Ana Dakkar, a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world, makes astounding discoveries about her heritage and puts her leadership skills to the test against deadly enemies from a rival school.
On the first day at a Japanese high school, an irrepressible girl announces her lack of interest in “ordinary humans” and proceeds to form a club dedicated to finding aliens, time travelers, and other forms of supernatural life, with the intention of having fun with them.
The 21st century guidebook of life safety skills for teens, their parents, and other caregivers, covering physical safety, sexual consent, social media, your rights with the police, situational awareness, dating violence, smartphones, and more. Young people coming of age today face new risks, expectations, and laws that didn’t exist when their parents were young. What They Don’t Teach Teens provides teens, tweens, and young adults with up-to-date, realistic strategies to protect themselves against the pitfalls of modern adolescence.
When Amy’s father loses his job the family moves back to Earth, where she has to adapt to heavier gravity, a new school, and a strange boy with no flavor.
At nineteen, Hutchinson was struggling to find the vocabulary to understand and accept who he was and how he fit into a community in which he couldn’t see himself. Convinced that he couldn’t keep going, that he had no future, Hutchinson followed through on trying to make that a reality — an attempted suicide. Over time, he came to embrace life, and to find self-acceptance. In his deeply honest memoir, he takes readers through the journey of what brought him to the edge, and what has helped him truly believe that it does get better.

adults
Spring, 1921. Scotland Yard sends Inspector Ian Rutledge to the sea-battered village of Walmer on the coast of Essex, where amongst the salt flats and a military airfield lies Benton Abbey, a grand manor with a storied past. The lady of the house may prove his most bewildering witness yet. She claims she saw a violent murder–but there is no body, no blood. She also insists she recognized the killer: Captain Nelson. Only it could not have been Nelson because he died during the war.
In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder.
The first major biography of one of our most influential but least known judicial activists that provides an eye-opening account of the twin struggles for gender equality and civil rights in the 20th Century. Born to an aspirational blue-collar family during the Great Depression, Constance Baker Motley was expected to find herself a good career as a hair dresser. Instead, she became the first black woman to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court, the first of ten she would eventually argue.
Funny Farm is an inspiring and moving memoir of the author’s turbulent life with 600 rescue animals. Laurie Zaleski never aspired to run an animal rescue; that was her mother Annie’s dream. But from girlhood, Laurie was determined to make the dream come true. Thirty years later as a successful businesswoman, she did it, buying a 15-acre farm deep in the Pinelands of South Jersey. Laurie had planned to relocate Annie and her caravan of ragtag rescues-horses and goats, dogs and cats, chickens and pigs-when Annie died, just two weeks before moving day. In her heartbreak, Laurie resolved to make her mother’s dream her own.
A celebration of cultural icon Shaquille O’Neal’s love of food, family, and fun, with 80 low-stress, comfort food meals for busy families
Click the links below to see the complete lists of new books.
New Adult Books
More New Adult Books
New Young Adult Books
More New Young Adult Books
New Juvenile Books
More New Juvenile Books
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Area News, Entertainment

Next for Kansas Road Trip: North Central Kansas 2023

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NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS TO BE NEXT BKRT HOSTS

On the last day of the 2022 Big Kansas Road Trip in Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford counties, Marci Penner of the Kansas Sampler Foundation announced that the 2023 Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT) will take place in Jewell, Republic, and Smith counties in North Central Kansas on May 4-7.

 

The BKRT is a multi-day event that feels like a tri-county open house of communities and their attractions and locally-owned shops and restaurants, and it’s a time to travel back roads and take in short activities that help locals tell their story. Penner said, “All we ask is that communities be good at being themselves. The public wants to have first-hand experiences in our rural communities and countryside to get to know them.”

 

A menu of things to see and do is presented in a variety of ways from a printed piece to a web site, with updates and encouragement on social media. Each person, family or group attending can choose where they want to go and make their own schedule. It’s adventure ala carte at your own pace.

 

Penner said, “It’s impossible to know how many attend the BKRT each year because everyone is spread out over three counties. No one gets overloaded but everyone gets more traffic than usual.”

 

Visitors to the 2022 event in southeast Kansas came from every region of Kansas and sign-in sheets showed that there were many people from out-of-state as well.

 

Fort Scott (Bourbon County) Public Relations and Tourism Director, Jackson Tough said “the Big Kansas Road Trip was excellent. We heard from many local businesses and area visitor attractions that said they saw increased traffic. Some said they had visitors from neighboring states like Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and even Colorado. Others came a greater distance like Minnesota, Iowa, and Nevada, among other states. Of course, we also hosted a large number of in-state visitors too. The event was great exposure for Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford Counties. After visiting with Big Kansas Road Trip organizer Marci Penner, I also believe we will see residual effects for years to come!”

 

County seats in the 2023 showcase are Mankato (Jewell County), Belleville (Republic County) and Smith Center (Smith County). A few highlights are the Home on the Range cabin (near Athol) and the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states (Lebanon) in Smith County; a WPA-built courthouse (Mankato) and Lovewell Lake and State Park in Jewell County; and the Pawnee Indian Village state historic site (near Republic) and the National Midget Auto Racing Museum (Belleville) in Republic County.

 

“Belleville is the biggest city in the three counties with a population of 1,900,” said Penner. The 2023 road trip will have a different feel than this year which is what makes it exciting. These counties will provide visitors many intriguing ways to get to know them.”

 

The mission of the Kansas Sampler Foundation is to preserve and sustain rural culture. For more information on the BKRT, go to www.bigkansasroadtrip.com.

 

Submitted by Jackson Tough, Fort Scott Public Relations and Tourism Director.