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Monthly Archives: January 2023
Early Childhood Grant Awarded to Kansas
Governor Kelly Announces $4 Million Planning Grant to Advance Statewide
Early Childhood System
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund has been awarded a $4 million 2023 Preschool Development Birth through Five Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. The grant will support the state’s ongoing efforts to bolster the early childhood workforce, support the physical and emotional well-being of our children, and ensure we design an early childhood system that meets the needs of all Kansas families.
“We know that a child’s development from birth to five years of age is vital to their trajectory in education and in life,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding will allow us to plan and build upon initiatives that strengthen our integrated early childhood system, with a special focus on ensuring our most vulnerable children are prepared for kindergarten.”
The grant will support:
- A study on how to better coordinate the state’s delivery of early childhood services to create a more streamlined system that is easy for all families to navigate, especially low-income and vulnerable populations.
- Exploration of a service delivery model that empowers families to be part of designing a responsive early childhood care and education system and holding the system accountable.
- Strengthening the early childhood sector’s workforce recruitment and growth.
- Exploration of a compensation reform plan based on the true cost of care, market conditions, and the economic growth Kansas is experiencing.
“As a recipient of federal funding in 2018 and a three-year renewal grant in 2020, Kansas has amplified and expanded a continuum of services and supports to better meet the needs of Kansas children and their families,” Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet, said. “We are excited to receive this new award which will allow us to take stock of our progress and design a future that ensures all Kansas children can thrive,”
To learn more about the progress of Kansas initiatives supported by this grant, visit kschildrenscabinet.org.
Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson
January 27, 2023
Committee Work continues in the third week of session. It appears that session is off to a slow start, however, there are reports and hearings being conducted in committees. Bills, schedules, and recordings of the meetings can be found at http://www.kslegislature.org/li/.
Government Picking Winners and Losers Last week I talked about a Legislative Post Audit report on tax incentive programs being used to promote business in Kansas. The report pointed out 37% of businesses questioned would have expanded or completed the project without the tax incentives. The report also pointed out the programs do not generate enough tax dollars to pay for the ‘giveaways’.
This week another presentation on government picking winners was presented in the Commerce Committee. Universities are allowing companies who “pay to play” to have access to students and research. Not all businesses have access to these students or research. It used to be that students would intern for companies, but now, some companies have locations on campus.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
Ground (Hog) Feed on Feb. 4 at First Southern Baptist Church
JOIN US FOR OUR 4TH ANNUAL
ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES
WITH A SERVING OF GROUND(HOG)
DINE IN OR CARRY OUT
ALSO SILENT AUCTION,
VALENTINE GIFTS & BAKE SALE
February 4, 2023, 8 A.M.- 2 P.M.
at First Southern Baptist Church
1818 South Main, Fort Scott, KS
Children 7 and under FREE
8 to Adult $5.00 in advance
or
$6.00 at the door
for advanced tickets Contact
Ida Ford 417-262-3948,
Terri Williams 620-215-3202, or
Fort Scott Chamber
**All proceeds go to the building fund
Ft Scott First Southern Baptist Church
TAKING ORDERS – Pick up 02/04/23
Individually wrapped
homemade sausage rolls
(jalapeno/cheddar
and cheddar)
$2.00 each
Great from Freezer to Microwave,
Ready in minutes
To Order contact
Terri Williams 620-223-3202
Ida Ford 417-262-3948
** All proceeds to Church Building Fund
Love is an Uphill Climb by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
In 1992, I became close friends with Shardel and Misty through a mothers’ group when all three of our little boys were two years old. Later in the mid-90s, both families moved away from Fort Scott. Last summer I had the joy of hosting a weekend reunion at my home with these dear and treasured girlfriends. Even though we had lived apart many years, our souls were still knit together. As we visited, laughed, cried, ate scratch brownie batter, and simply picked up where we left off, I said something like, ”I’m not who I used to be; I’ve changed. My heart is softer and I’m not so judgmental and opinionated.” During those 27 years of separation, I learned (am still learning) what it means to love others like Jesus does. What a difference choosing a mindset of love has made in my life!
Practicing love is not based on a feeling, but rather a decision to humbly obey God’s Word. When Jesus’ crucifixion was near, He shared many directives to His disciples. “Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for Me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples” (John 13:33-35 NLT). Jesus’ command requires believers to take the necessary steps to love others. We simply put one foot in front of the other and begin hoofing the uphill climb.
To walk in love requires effort on our part — we have to work at it. Being a doer of love costs something, whether it’s our time, money, pride, or opinions. A good question to ask ourselves is: “Are my wounded feelings and stubborn opinions more important than the person and my relationship with him/her?” Speaking from emotions in the heat of the moment can undo a lifetime of closeness. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT). Being right is highly overrated, and having peaceful relationships is highly underrated. Peace is like a soothing essential oil for the soul.
Loving others is a daily decision that’s practiced on purpose — and it’s not always easy. Sometimes the stepping stones to love are a little too far apart and it’s a stretch for us. But let’s think past the upsetting circumstance and ask ourselves: “Am I loving others in a way that I‘ll have no regrets later on?” We must live in the light of Jesus as we climb every mountain in love. “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT).
Because Christ lives in believers, we are more than able to do what is required of us. “…Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other“ (Colossians 3:12-15 MSG).
The Key: Love is an uphill climb one step at a time.
Alternative Forage Options for Spring 2023
District Extension Agent, Crop production and Forage Management
Southwind District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, Kansas 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Cell: 308-991-8415
[email protected]
Much of Southeast Kansas experienced drought through the late summer and fall months of 2022. This has affected pasture health, forage yields, and hay prices, causing some producers to worry if they will have enough forage to maintain their herd numbers. In this article we will lay out a few forage options that producers may not be utilizing.
Many tall fescue pastures in SEK went into dormancy early last summer, and never seemed to come out, leaving producers to worry if the fescue is dead. While it is difficult to tell how much will recover, we know that stand health will be poor this spring. In some cases, spring oats can be drilled into fescue stands to provide additional forage. Using low seeding rates and a no-till drill, oats make a great companion crop allowing the fescue to rest.
Winter wheat can be used as a dual-purpose crop, where producers graze the stand early in the spring, and then pull cattle off to have a harvestable wheat crop. Winter wheat can be grazed until the first hallow stem stage without impacting yield potential. Research has shown a 0% yield impact from grazing prior to the first hallow stem stage, and then a 2% yield loss each day the wheat is grazed after the first hallow stem stage. The first hallow stem stage can be identified by splitting the main tiller on the wheat plant and finding the developing wheat head. The first hallow stem stage begins when the developing wheat head is approximately 1.5 centimeters above ground, roughly the diameter of a dime.
Winter wheat can also be used solely as a forage crop with the ability to rotate to a summer crop. In this system, wheat can be grazed until planting time. Wheat can be terminated via tillage or herbicides.
For producers who did not plant winter wheat in the fall there are a number of spring- planted cereal crops that make excellent grazing options.
Cereal rye is a cold-hardy, fast growing cereal crop that will produce a large amount of forage quickly. Cereal rye is most often planted in the fall, but in SEK, late winter plantings can also achieve adequate stands. Rye is best served as a silage crop because it matures quickly, but it will also give producers the earliest grazing option.
Spring oats is the next earliest forage option. Spring oats can be planted as early as February 15 in a warm and dry winter, or as late as March 10 in a cold and wet winter. Oats will freeze kill, so plan to plant after the last threat of a freeze.
Spring oats will not produce tillers, so yield potential will not be as high as other cereal crops. Grazing should begin when plants reach 6-8 inches tall and then grazing should end when plants reach 2-3 inches tall to maintain regrowth.
For producers looking to get more forage from their spring crop, spring triticale can be a great option. Spring triticale will mature later in the season than cereal rye and spring oats, so it is not recommended if producers want to rotate to corn in that field. Double-cropped soybeans would be an option in SEK.
Spring triticale has many hybrids that are designed for different forage types, meaning it can have good grazing potential, but triticale is best served as a hay/silage crop.
With a glim outlook on spring pasture health, producers may need to look beyond their typical spring grazing options. Cereal crops can be an inexpensive and high-quality forage to fill a need while tall fescue pastures recover from last year’s drought. For more information on using alternative forages, contact Chad Guthrie, crop production and forage management agent, at any Southwind Extension District office.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Jan. 31
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 31, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes
• Signatures for Accounts Payable
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Eric Bailey – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
• Kathy – Executive Director of Area Agency on Aging
• Jeremiah Hill – County Roads
• Bill Martin – Vehicle Bids/Loans
• Coroner Cost–Sharing Agreement
• SEKRPC – Renewal
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Attachment:
Chamber Announces Love Local & Chocolate Crawl Shopping Event
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Love Local Chocolate Crawl shopping event which will take place on Friday, February 10th and Saturday, February 11th. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the fun.
Customers are invited to shop local retailers while sampling a variety of chocolate treats along the way, and many will also be offering drawings and promotions. Locations included in the event will have a Chocolate Crawl poster and red and white balloons displayed at their entrance.
Each retailer will have a Love Local Bingo card that customers can fill out for a chance to win $100 Chamber Bucks!
The Chamber encourages the community to shop local, love local and join the Chocolate Crawl on February 10th and 11th to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “You can’t buy love, but you can buy local!”
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.
Submitted by:
Lindsay Madison, Executive Director, [email protected]
Emily Clayton, Communications & Events Coordinator, [email protected]
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg becomes Dispensary of Hope site
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg soon will become a Dispensary of Hope site, a pharmaceutical program that delivers critical medicine, at little to no cost, to the people who need it the most but can’t afford it.
“America’s most vulnerable are in the greatest need of healthcare solutions and typically lack access to a consistent and reliable source of medication,” says Chris Okeke, director of Pharmacy Services. “Our local community hospital will now be able to provide solutions to that problem.”
Since 2007, Dispensary of Hope has been providing eligible patients with medications and supplies needed to treat a wide range of chronic diseases and conditions. The program offers participants ordering and free weekly shipping.
“We are blessed to be able to provide these essential medicines to those in the community who may not have been able to receive them otherwise,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “This addition to our hospital aligns perfectly with our Mission of providing compassionate care, close to home.”
Those who are looking to benefit from the program will need to talk with their provider to get started.
To learn more about services offered at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Jennifer Hawkins Selected As Bourbon County Clerk by Republican Party
Jennifer Hawkins, 34, was selected from a field of three persons to become the next Bourbon County Clerk last evening at a Republican Party Convention.
“We had three individuals contact the (Republican) party,” Mark McCoy, chairman, said.
He will forward Hawkins name to be approved to Governor Kelly today. Outgoing Bourbon County Clerk Ashley Shelton’s last day in February 3. Shelton resigned last week.
Today Hawkins is being sworn in as Bourbon County Deputy Clerk, then her first day as clerk is Feb. 6, she said.
Hawkins has worked for the county government for almost a decade.
“I have worked as the lead motor vehicle clerk in the treasurer’s office for five years, and as the office manager of the public works department for 4.5 years,” she said.
She has helped with accounts payable and payroll in the county clerks office as well.
“I have a working relationship with all the county offices and feel I can help move the county forward,” Hawkins said. “I want to do my part to see Bourbon County and Fort Scott succeed.”
With the loss of the two other office staff in the clerk’s office besides Shelton, “It will be rough until I can get some additional help hired,” she said
“I will be hiring two full time office staff, one will be deputy county clerk (who will also be the) accounts payable clerk,” she said. “One will be a front office clerk to assist Bourbon County residents by manning the switchboard and helping with licensing and hunting licenses.”
The staff will have to absorb a part time position, Hawkins said.
Hawkins said the county has “wonderful benefits to offer” including retirement, health insurance (including dental and vision), vacation and sick leave.
Hawkins was born and raised in Fort Scott, attending Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College.
She has a 15- year-old daughter who attends Fort Scott High School and whose activities keep her “pretty busy with her school functions.”
Tim Shellenburger New Kansas Senator Representing Bourbon County
Another new face will be serving Bourbon County as the District 13 Kansas Senator.
On January 22, a Republican Convention was held in Columbus to select a new senator for District 13 replacing Richard Hilderbrand who resigned. Tim Shallenburger was selected.
“He is a former Kansas State Representative,” McCoy said. “Most recently he was the mayor of Baxter Springs.”
District 13 encompasses Bourbon, Crawford and Cherokee Counties.
Governor’s Council on Education Annual Report
Governor Kelly Receives 2022
Governor’s Council on Education Annual Report
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly received the Governor’s Council on Education’s annual report, which includes a set of recommendations intended to improve educational outcomes for all Kansas students through increased collaboration between the business and education sectors. The Council’s recommended improvements are aimed at advancing early childhood education, increasing opportunities for workforce-bound high schoolers, improving post-secondary transitions for our students, and increasing coordination for technical education.
“I established the Council on Education not only because I believe that educating our children is one of the most important obligations of our elected leaders, but also because it’s one of the best economic investments we can make as a state,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I’m proud of the work the Council has done these last four years searching for innovative ways to provide for our students, and I look forward to addressing their recommendations to ensure Kansas students have access to the best education in the country.”
The bipartisan group of stakeholders and policy experts spent 2022 traveling across the state to hear directly from educators and businesses about the most pressing issues shaping education in Kansas. Governor Kelly established the Governor’s Council on Education in 2019 to bring together education and business leaders to realize a shared vision of increased prosperity and look for ways to enhance early childhood education and develop partnerships to address workforce needs in Kansas.
“We are grateful to Governor Kelly for the opportunity to learn from and with extraordinary leaders who represent educators and businesses across Kansas. We are confident that the Council’s work will strengthen our state by aligning education with business and creating opportunities for all Kansans,” said Dr. Cynthia Lane and Dr. Fred Dierksen, Co-Chairs of Governor Kelly’s Council on Education.
The Council’s report can be found here.