Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

Caryn Tyson

February 10, 2023

 

Committee Work continues to be the major focus.  The Senate Tax Committee that I chair, passed out several bills.  Some of the bills that passed included exempting Social Security from income tax, increasing income tax standard deductions, and repealing the 1.5 mil of property taxes the state keeps and funding the 1.5 mil using State General Funds (SGF).  The bills still need to pass the Senate and the House before the Governor must decide to veto or let become law.

 

Tax cut on Premium Taxes, a “sales” tax that insurers pay on premiums that they receive from their policy holders, passed the Senate unanimously.  SB 25 would cut the premium tax from 6 percent to 4.  It was reported that Kansas has one of highest premium tax rates in the nation.  The cut will bring the tax rate more in line with other states.

 

Premium Taxes are due 90 days after the fiscal year end.  However, SB 19 would change that so that premium taxes would be due 90 days after calendar year end.  The bill passed the Senate unanimously.

 

Budgets are being worked in committees.  It is frustrating as the information reported is minimal and legislators get a short timeframe to review the information.  During a Commerce Committee hearing on the Department of Commerce budget, it was troubling to listen to  the ways they are giving away taxpayer dollars.  Especially since I hear from Kansans who are struggling to make ends meet because of taxes and the increased cost of necessities.  Legislators have attempted to improve the budget process, but it is a battle against people who want to grow government and have control of the books.  I am working with a few others on solutions and will keep you posted.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Cassidy Lutz is a New Southwind District Family and Consumer Science Agent


Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

Cassidy Lutz is a new Southwind District Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. She started January 23, 2023.

Her  primary office location is in Yates Center.

As an extension agent, I provide leadership for the development and implementation of research-based educational programming related to families and community systems,” Lutz said. “By offering programs and being involved with community partners and organizations, I help residents throughout Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson Counties gain knowledge and skills to better their lives. My primary focus will be Family and Child Development.”

“I travel to Fort Scott on an as needed basis, so I don’t have set days,” she said.
” I am part of a virtual learning series that is offered statewide,” Lutz said. “It is called Living Well Wednesday’s and will be held from 12:15 – 1 p.m. on the following dates. All sessions are recorded so if someone has an interest and can’t watch the live viewing, the recordings can be viewed on the website at a later date. Registration information is on that website as well.”
February 8 – Hypertension Awareness, Prevention and Management
February 22 – Mental Health
March 8 – Stretching Your Food Dollar
March 22 – Positive Parenting

Lutz’s  hometown is Garnett.

She has a bachelor’s degree in food science from Kansas State University.

I was most recently the Family and Community Wellness and 4-H Youth Development Agent for Greenwood County K-State Research in Extension,” she said. “Prior to that, I served as a program assistant for the Southwind Extension District upon graduating from K-State.”

Her family includes  her mother, Teena Tracy-McNett from Yates  father, Gerald Lutz from Garnett.  Her grandparents are Gail and Ross Thornbrugh from Yates Center and Clint and Gail Tracy from Toronto.

I am thrilled to be working in Yates Center again and will take advantage of the opportunities to be involved in the community,” she said. “As a former Southwind employee, I loved getting to work with all the families in the Southwind District and am excited to get back to that. I hope to be involved in many organizations and give support to our wonderful communities by providing knowledge and skills all residents can use to thrive! ”

Bourbon County Dems Meet Feb. 19

Bourbon County Democrats will hold their first general meeting of 2023 on Sunday, February 19th, at 2:00 p.m.
They will be meeting in a new location on Fort Scott Community Campus: Room H121 in the Ellis Center.
Kansas Representative Christina Haswood will be their speaker.
Please call or text 620 215 1505 (Carol MacArthur) for a ride to the meeting or for more information.

Submitted by

Carol MacArthur\
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like us on Facebook

Sweating Dill Pickles by Carolyn Tucker

 

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

As a youngster, my son was very fond of dill pickles. Aaron is now in his 30s and he still loves dill pickles. As a little boy, he would come in from romping and playing outside and I’d grab him, set him on my lap and kiss his rambunctious cottontop head. And it would smell like dill pickles. If I climbed on a ladder and sniffed his head today, it would probably still smell like dill pickles. They say you are what you eat. So I suppose my head  smells like chocolate.

 

My friend Ruby loves God and loves people. And this lifestyle she has chosen makes her very easy to love in return. When I’m in her presence and we’re saying our good-byes, she will lean forward with a big smile and a twinkle in her eyes and kiss my cheek. I know what’s coming, so I stand there, close my eyes and gratefully receive her kiss of Christian friendship. Believe me, I know that one little act of kindness will fill up a love tank for several days. A friendship kiss is not all that common in today’s cultural practice, but I grew up in a demonstrative family of huggers, kissers, laughers…and weepers. I understand and appreciate genuine outward expressions of the heart.

 

What’s in a kiss? Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus and it meant nothing more than betrayal. But when a former prostitute kissed Jesus’ feet it showed her gratitude, love, and adoration for Him. Outward expression comes from the inward heart. Four times in the New Testament, the apostle Paul teaches the importance of expressing earnest heartfelt affection. We would do well to understand that a repeated teaching is always important and shouldn’t be blown off. “All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1 Corinthians 16:20 NKJV). “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (2 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV). “Greet each other in Christian love” (Romans 16:16 NLT). “Greet all the brethren with a sacred kiss” (1 Thessalonians 5:26 AMP). And then Peter jumps on the bandwagon and writes, “Greet one another with a kiss of peace” (1 Peter 5:14 TPT).

 

The resurrected Savior told Peter that his mission would be to strengthen the faith of believers. So Peter preached and wrote to Christ followers encouraging them to remain faithful to God and to love others. “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it” (1 Peter 3:8-9 NLT). For believers who say, “I don’t know what God wants me to do,” then “here’s your sign” straight from the bold lips of Peter.

 

It’s clear that God wants His children to practice genuine Christian  affection. We should seek to grow in our love for others because we belong to the Father of Love. We’re to take the kiss of the world and sanctify it, make it holy, and devote it to God. We are including God in our hearts when we greet one another with a kiss, hug, fist bump, high five, hand shake, or touch on the shoulder. Just choose the tool of love that suits you and lay it on people. When we express Christ-like affection for one another, our hearts are literally  saying, “You are precious to me and I value our relationship.” What a difference we could make if we would only break our rusty cage and run in the power of love.

 

The Key: Do something, don’t just stand there like a cow looking at a new gate!

Reduce Your Screen Time


Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

 

Computers, phones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers today have more access to digital devices than ever before.

Recent studies indicate that spending hours on end staring at screens can have a large impact on your health. Lack of quality sleep, excessive eating, social isolation, low professional performance, and a lack of physical activity are all potential negative effects of spending too much time looking at screens.

The first step to combating these effects is to adjust how mindful and intentional you are with the time you spend looking at a computer, phone, or tablet screen. Experts recommend spending 3 to 4 hours daily screen-free. To help with sleep, put your devices away at least an hour before bedtime. This will allow your brain to start producing melatonin sooner, which is the hormone that helps “turn off” the brain. For eye health, take a break every 20 minutes and focus on an object at least 20 feet away. This is especially beneficial for those that work on a computer during the day as it prevents digital eye strain.

Parents of young children should be especially mindful of the amount of time they spend on screens with their young ones around. Children often mimic the behaviors they observe in their parents. If a majority of your time spent as a family includes screens, your children will likely pick up this behavior. Excessive screen time in children can lead to behavioral problems, irregular sleep, obesity, and impaired academic performance.

To become more mindful, recognize that behaviors are a choice. Every part of human behavior is driven by a choice and can be changed with a shift in thinking. Instead of simply saying that you will make a change, you need to take action to make that change happen. Next, think about the rationalizations behind your current thoughts. For example, why do you spend hours scrolling through social media sites when your time and energy could be better spent elsewhere? Lastly, think of alternatives. Reading a book, journaling, cleaning, cooking, or going for a walk are all great ways to spend your free time.

Taking control of your screen time can be challenging, but you and your entire family can benefit from this behavior change. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

 

 

Fruit Trees Should Be Pruned Now

Krista Harding
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786

 

 

Are you itching to get out of the house and do something productive in the landscape? If you have fruit trees, now is the time to prune. A little planning ahead with fruit trees, such as pruning, can mean big rewards later in the growing season.

 

Are you like many who are “afraid” to prune? Don’t be. When done correctly, pruning is an essential component of growing a healthy, productive fruit tree. Fruit trees should be pruned every year and for several reasons. The first is the development of a strong tree structure. Pruning should begin when the tree is planted and continued each year thereafter. Another reason to prune is the increased penetration of sunlight for the development of fruit buds and for the fruit to mature properly.

 

Trees can be pruned this early (winter) because they are dormant. This can be done in January, February and even early March. Pruning when trees are dormant makes it easier to see undesirable branches because leaves aren’t present. It is important to do any pruning before dormant sprays are applied, to avoid spraying some of the wood that will later be removed. Total spray coverage of limbs, branches and shoots will be increased after pruning. Do not prune if temperatures are below 20°F because this can cause tissue damage.

 

Have your fruit trees been neglected for quite some time? If so, pruning can seem like an overwhelming task; where to start, how much wood to remove, etc. But a neglected tree can be revitalized.

 

The first step in revitalizing a neglected tree is to prune wood around the trunk area and near the ground. Remove all sucker growth around the trunk by cutting as close as possible to the point of origin. Then remove all dead and diseased branches. Next, look for two branches that rub and remove one of the two. Branches that are growing toward the interior of the tree should also be removed. No more than thirty percent of the tree should be removed in a year.

 

You will want to retain scaffolds that are growing away from the tree center at wide angles with the trunk. Scaffolds are one of the main branches making the basic framework of a tree. They should be positioned on different sides of the tree for good distribution of the fruit crop.

 

The right tools are needed for proper pruning. Tools always need to be sharp so clean cuts can be made. Cuts that result in bark tears, stubs, or jagged surfaces are slow to heal and may even not completely heal. A scissor type of hand shear is used to prune small size wood, usually ¼ inch in diameter. Long handled loppers should be used to cut ¼ to ½ inch wood. These will need to be used generally by the third year of tree growth.  For branches larger than ½ inch, use a fine-toothed pruning saw.

 

The Extension office has a couple of publications on pruning fruit trees that explain in more detail how to prune depending on the species and age of the tree. These publications can be found on our Southwind website: www.southwind.ksu.edu

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

 

 

Agenda for the U234 Board of Education on Feb. 13

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order         

Danny Brown, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

 

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

 

            4.1       Board Minutes

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – January 20, 2023 – $1,543,148.20

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

            4.6       Extended Trip Applications

4.7       COVID Operations Guidelines

4.8       Special Board Meetingwork session to discuss and prioritize long-term plan and capital              improvements, February 27th – 6:00 pm

                       

5.0       Employee and Student Recognition

 

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion)

 

            6.1       Fort Scott KNEA Report

            6.2       Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

6.4       Administrators’ Report

            6.5       Finance Director’s Report

                                               

7.0       Old Business

 

7.1       Fort Scott Preschool Center (Information/Discussion)

           

           

8.0       New Business

8.1       Tennis Courts Resurface – Pro Track and Tennis, Inc. (Action Item)

8.2       Investment of Interest – 90-day – $2,500,000 (Action Item)

8.3       2023-24 School Calendar (pending negotiations) (Action Item)

8.4       Gilmore Bell Disclosure Compliance Services Proposal (Action Item)

8.5       District Meal Allowance Reimbursement Increase (Action Item)

8.6       MOU For Shared Employee Between USD 234 and SEK-CAP, Inc. (Action Item)

 

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

10.4     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

10.5     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

           

11.0     Adjourn Meeting

                        President Brown

 

Obituary of George Johnson

George Allen Johnson, lifelong resident of Bronson, Kansas passed away on February 8, 2023 at the age of 78. He was born the second of three sons to William Harold Allen Johnson and Georgia May (Harrison) Johnson in Kansas City, MO. He graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1962.

 

After graduation George worked for the Southeastern Kansas Gas Company and in 1969 began a decades long career as a heavy-equipment mechanic repairing hundreds of Allis-Chalmers tractors throughout Bourbon and surrounding counties when he worked for Reasoner’s Repair in Bronson.

He then was employed with Hillenburg Oil Company and added oil field pump-jack repair to his list of talents. After hours he assisted his Dad with city superintendent duties such as treating the water at the city lake (good excuse to take the boat out and hammer it down) and repairing the light on top of the water tower.

In later years he mixed paint for the presses at Ward/Kraft in Fort Scott until he retired in 2007.

 

He had a unique talent to build or re-work just about anything. He was a good cook and enjoyed displaying his culinary skills at family dinners and reunions as he was a great host. His famous “big” breakfast was a favorite and always included items from his garden.

In his younger days he enjoyed working on and drag racing (including wheel popping) his 4-speed, dual 4-barrel 1964 Ford Galaxie with the 427 engine he built himself. Other favorite cars in his collection included his bought-new 1969 Mustang Fastback and his 1992 Mustang convertible that escorted the grand marshals each year in the annual Bronson Day Parade.

He enjoyed family camping adventures, boating and water skiing. He was often seen at Lake Fort Scott skiing on one foot (with the other foot in the rope handle) and cousin Richard driving the boat.

 

His greatest blessing was his family and friends; he always put their needs before his own. George will be missed but never forgotten. Those left to continue his legacy include daughter Melinda (Jim) Lambert of Wichita, KS, son Ryan (Renee) Johnson of Camdenton, MO, grandsons Ryland and Rowan Johnson, brother Roy (Nina) Johnson of Amherst, OH and treasured neighbors Mitch, Brandi and Harlyn Spainhoward of Bronson.

 

The last goodbye is the hardest one to say, this is where the cowboy rides away. Per his request, no public service will be held. George is now at peace and will be laid to rest next to his parents and older brother Glenn in the Bronson Cemetery.

To honor his memory and help beautify the community he loved, a memorial fund has been established with the city of Bronson to fund benches for the city park and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywittcom.

 

 

Local Insurance Industry Software Business to Change Name

Nedra Barr. Submitted photo.

Nedra Barr started the business, Spyder Inc., in 2021, and it is located at 102 W. 2nd. She is the CEO and founder.

The business develops software and sells it to the insurance industry.

This month the business is renaming to OnboardXI.

“The new name is short for Onboarding Experience Improvement,” she said.  “Our new name represents what we do for insurance companies and Insurance Marketing Organizations (IMO), which are our two target markets.  The Spyder name will be phased out once the new website is up and running over the next few weeks.”

Onboarding is the processing of a new application for insurance of any kinds, Barr said. “Once the application for insurance is completed by the customer, it goes to the Insurance Marketing Organization or directly to the insurance company to process and issue or decline the policy.  While I make this sound simple, these are highly complicated and technical work streams for insurance companies. Every insurance company is unique from another.”

“The OnboardXi solution is easily flexible and adaptable to accommodate each company’s differences,” she said. “Our platform connects systems together fast, processes new applications fast…. right the first time.  Pretty fun stuff!”

“What used to take months and years to setup for an insurance company, we can do in weeks to couple of months,” she said. “This will be a huge cost savings to insurance companies compared to older types of software solutions.”

“We liked the Spyder name but found it to be too common,” Barr said.  “As a result, we were not able to obtain the social media handles we need for marketing and sales.”

In today’s world, a business needs to use social media for presence, awareness and marketing, she said. ” We now have those capabilities with our new name.”

The OnboardXI Platform began demonstrations on  Feb. 3 to insurance companies and IMO’s  with a  rebranded rollout slated for March 1, 2023.

Mike Upright. Submitted photo.

The business has a new low code, no code digital platform that is unique in the insurance industry, according to Mike Upright, CTO Founder.  All types of new insurance applications: home, auto, life, disability, annuities, worker’s compensation, etc. will be driven   through the application process in the client’s offices with the OnboardXI workflows.

OnboardXI  can help up-sell and cross-sell their client’s products and services, which are new capabilities in the market, Upright said.

“This year, 45% of all insurance companies are anticipated to have projects to improve upon the exact things the OnboardXI solution solves,” Upright said.

David Brezik. Submitted photo.

David Brezik, local Fort Scott resident and investor in the business, is also the OnboardXi Senior Vice President Product and Co-Founder.  He believes their business will have a “significant impact in the insurance marketplace. This is truly next level software that will revolutionize the insurance industry.”

Arun Nageshwar. Submitted photo.

“We know the impact and importance of our solution in the United States,” Senior Vice President Product Engineering and Co-Founder Arun Nageshwar said. “When we are ready, we will look to specific international markets to serve as well.”

Three people work in Fort Scott office:  Brezik, Barr and a marketing support person.
Nageshwar works from India and Upright from St Augustine, FL.

For more information, contact Barr at [email protected]