Monthly Archives: March 2023

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

March 24, 2023

 

Session 2023 is quickly coming to an end.  There are a few more days of regular session, then conference committees will be the focus.  Conference committees are six member committees, three from each chamber, that negotiate the differences in legislation that has passed both chambers.  It is usually the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Ranking from committees.  However, the Senate President and Speaker may appoint whomever they want on conference committees.

 

Property Tax has been a focus for many, including myself and other legislators.  The Senate Tax Committee passed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 1610, limiting property valuations to a maximum 3% increase each year.  If we can get the SCR passed in both chambers by 2/3 majority, it would be on the ballot for voters to decide.  Hopefully, leadership will shepherd it through the process this session to let taxpayers vote and stop these massive valuation increases, which often result in higher property taxes.

 

Self-storage unit operators would be able to request towing of a vehicle, trailer, or watercraft when a storage unit payment is 60 days or more past due.  The bill, SB 2042, passed the Senate 38 to 0.

 

Article V in the U.S. Constitution defines two methods to amend the U.S. Constitution.  The most commonly known method is that an amendment to be initiated by U.S. Congress.  The second method is when an amendment can be initiated by the states.  There are a few groups working to initiate amendments through the state legislatures.  The Kansas Senate debated a resolution that would call for an Article V convention for term limits, a balanced budget, and to reign in federal overreach.  It always leads to healthy debate.  The Kansas Constitution requires a resolution for an Article V convention to pass by 2/3 majority.  There have been attempts in the past to disregard this requirement.  I do not support those efforts.  I do support states working to reign in our federal government, so I voted for the resolution.  However, it failed on a vote 22 to 16.  It needed 27 votes to pass.

 

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

Caryn

 

 

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Chamber Coffee at Fort Scott National Historic Site March 30

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by
Friends of Fort Scott NHS
Thursday, March 30th
8am
1 Old Fort Blvd
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, March 30th at 8 a.m. hosted by Friends of Fort Scott NHS. It will be held at The Fort Scott National Historic Site, 1 Old Fort Blvd. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s mission is to be a friend of the National Historic Site and their primary purpose is to support the National Historic Site in a partnership through activities that may include fundraising, volunteerism, education, advocacy and research. To do that they need to raise funds and they raise funds through their Flag Subscription Program.
For the last four years, they have put a full-size flag in front of the homes of subscribers for the 5 flag holidays — Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day. Interested parties can stop by the Chamber to pick up an application or can contact Kelley Collins at 417.684.2484.
Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2023 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].
Clickhere for their Facebook page!
Click here for their website!
We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
‌
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING NEWS RELEASE

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There is a change in the  USD234 District calendar for the last day of school, it is now May 16 not May 17.

Monday, March 27, 2023

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023, for a special board meeting at the board office.

 

President Danny Brown opened the meeting.

 

The board heard from Greg Vahrenberg regarding funding options for financing the FSHS HVAC and energy savings project. The board then passed Resolution 22-12 for purpose of determining the advisability of financing the acquisition and installation of certain energy conservation measures by the execution and delivery of a lease purchase agreement certificates of participation, Series 2023, in such lease purchase agreement.

 

The board then heard from Jason Dial regarding the PACT Agreement with TRANE for the purposes of the FSHS HVAC and energy savings project in the amount of $8,246,225 with the first payment in March 2023 in the amount of $1,500,000. The contract includes a 5-year parts and labor warranty. The agreement includes FSHS HVAC improvements, electrical work, installation of solar panels and LED lighting to capture energy savings.

 

The board approved changing the District Calendar to move the last day of school for students to May 16, 2023, and for May 17, 2023, to become a district-wide professional development day.

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

In addition to the above, the board approved the following items:

  • Purchase of two vehicles for maintenance use
  • Approval of Personnel Report (following)

 

President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.

 

 

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

March 27, 2023

 

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Anderson Fowler, Bethany – Resignation – FSHS English Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Bingesser, Carol – Resignation – FSMS Boys and Girls Basketball Coach at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Carter, Leah – Resignation – FSMS Summer Conditioning, effective 03/08/23
  • DeMott, Kelsey – Resignation – Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Guiles, Peyton – Resignation – Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Hudiburg, Kenneth – Resignation – FSMS Boys and Girls Basketball Coach at the end of the 2022-23 school year
  • Sanborn, Shelly – Resignation – FSHS Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year

 

EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:

  • Altic, Xoe – Eugene Ware Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
  • Comstock, Tracy – FSHS English Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
  • Griffetts, Christopher – Transfer from Eugene Ware Elementary Art Teacher to FSHS Art Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
  • Gumfory, Chelsea – FSMS 8th Grade Math Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
  • Hendricks, Caleb – Winfield Scott Physical Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
  • Norris, Danielle – Transfer from Eugene Ware Elementary 4th Grade Teacher to Eugene Ware Special Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
  • Woods, Nicholas – FSHS Social Studies Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
Government

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter

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Overhauling the Organ Transplant and Donation Program
On Wednesday, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies. The hearing came hours after the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced its intent to overhaul the organ procurement and transplant network (OPTN) contract. During the hearing, I secured a commitment from Secretary Becerra that the department will work to create a more transparent and open process for the OPTN contract.

The sole contract to oversee the nation’s organ transplant system has been held by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) for more than 30 years. In 2018, UNOS developed a new liver allocation policy that colluded against Midwest and Southern states. As the result of a lawsuit, UNOS was required to publicly release emails in 2021 that revealed clear collusion between UNOS, a New England-area organ procurement organization, and others as they crafted the new liver allocation policy.

For years, my former colleague Roy Blunt and I have continually flagged for HHS how harmful and unfair the liver allocation rule is for the Midwest and the South. New data released last week by the Washington Post confirmed Kansas has been significantly harmed by the new liver allocation formula since implementation began in 2020. In 2021 alone, between 51-75% of livers donated in Kansas were transported to an out-of-state patient. Our state also saw a 50% decrease in liver transplants from 2019 to 2020. These statistics are devastating to a state where organ donations remain high but where we are seeing more deaths as a result of the unfair liver allocation formula.

HRSA’s proposal to divide up the OPTN contract and open competition for contracts to new organizations is certainly a step in the right direction. I am hopeful the department is beginning to take the life and death battles Americans are facing through the current OPTN system more seriously.

You can watch my full questioning of Secretary Bercerra here.

Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter →

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Meet and Greet April 4

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Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet scheduled for April 4th!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, April 4th from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at City State Bank, 202 Scott Ave.
These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotion and anything related to downtown.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott

CHAMBER TO HOST JOB FAIR APRIL 13TH

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, April 13th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St.

 

The Job Fair will give businesses the opportunity to recruit students and other job seekers in the area for both part-time and full-time positions. Southeast KANSASWORKS will be present with a booth to provide resources and assistance.

Employers are encouraged to reserve a booth on fortscott.com/events. The cost to reserve an employer booth is $50 for Chamber members or $90 for non-Chamber members.

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 for more information or visit fortscott.com.

_____________

 

Employers registered to-date include:
CHC/SEK – Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
City of Pittsburg Police Department
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
Heartland Behavorial Health (Nevada)
Integrity Home Care + Hospice
Labconco
Kansas Department for Children and Families
Kansas Department of Transportation
Nevada Regional Medical Center
Peerless Products
Pittsburg State University
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
Twister Trailer

Obituary

The Obituary of Laverne Person

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Laverne Cummings Person, age 95, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the home of her daughter in Olathe, Kansas.

She was born August 12, 1927, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Booker T. Cummings and Cleo Mae Jenkins Cummings.  Laverne received her early education at the E. J. Hawkins School in Ft. Scott and went on to graduate from the Ft. Scott High School.

She married Dennis C. Person on March 2, 1946, in Ft. Scott.  He preceded her in death on November 15, 1950.

Because of the untimely death of her husband, Laverne had to work hard to meet the needs of her family.  In earlier years, she worked as a housekeeper and then took a job at the County Clerk’s office where she worked for a few years. Later, she was employed in human resources by the City of Ft. Scott where she worked for many years

Laverne had a life-long love of reading, and the last few years of her tenure with the City were spent working at the Ft. Scott Public Library

. In addition to reading, Laverne also enjoyed cooking and baking.   Laverne was a woman of faith and was a longtime member of the United Missionary Baptist Church.  She was also a past member of the Eastern Star and the Athenium Study Club.

Family was everything to Laverne, and they all pulled together to take care of her during her final years.  Many precious memories were made on the back porch on Hill Street where family and friends gathered to listen to her words of wit and wisdom.

Laverne will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her four daughters, Janice Greene (Arthur), Linda Wilson (Larry) and Cindy Becky (Brent) all of Olathe, Kansas and Holly Rogers (Richard) of Parker, Colorado; her daughter-in-law, Beverly Albertson Person of Kansas City, Missouri; twelve grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two brothers, Jerry Cummings of Sacramento, California and Phillip Cummings (Mary Ann) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Wava Cummings and Alta Cummings and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

In addition to her husband, Dennis, Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, Booker T. and Cleo Cummings, a son, Dennis Person, Jr. five brothers, Donald, who died in infancy, and Gardner, Charles, Albert and David Cummings and a sister, Maxine Gordon.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 31st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Ft. Scott Public Library 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 cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

The Obituary of Leona Harned

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Leona Belle Harned, age 81, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.

She was born at home in Fulton, Kansas on July 3, 1941, the daughter of Luther Martin Harned and Julia Alma Cadwell Harned.  Leona’s early years were spent in Fulton, Kansas.  She attended the United Methodist Church in Fulton, Kansas during her youth. The Harned family later moved to Ft. Scott where Leona graduated from Ft. Scott High School and later from Ft. Scott Community College.

Throughout her life, Leona worked at various Ft. Scott restaurants which embodied her love for people and her love for serving others.  Her last places of employment were in the cafeteria at Ft. Scott Community College and later at Marsha’s Deli.  She reluctantly retired from Marsha’s Deli at age 78.

Leona had a strong love for Christ and shared her faith unashamedly.  She spent many hours watching the TBN network on television and had an extensive collection of Bibles.  She also enjoyed singing especially the old hymns of the church.  She was a member of the Faith Church located south of Ft. Scott.

 

Leona is survived by two sisters, Julia Turbeville of Houston, Texas and Darlene Robinson of Ft. Scott, Kansas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Edwin, Jimmy, and George Harned.

 

Following cremation, Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct a memorial service at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Saturday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Faith Church where it will be used for outreach, Bibles and missions.  Services are under the direction 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 cheneywitt.com.

 

Bourbon County, Business

Little Osage Greenhouse Receives Start-Up Grant

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Lori and Mike Hueston. Submitted photo.

Mike, 56, and Lori Hueston, 57, received a $10,000 grant to start up a greenhouse business from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team in the farm/ranch division.

The name of the business is Little Osage Greenhouse LLC.

“We will  be growing vegetables to start and eventually fruits,” Lori said. “We will be selling in some local businesses in Bronson and Fort Scott… and be selling at farmers markets.”
The Hueston farm is located on Highway 65, outside of Mapleton in northern Bourbon County.
“We are putting up a gothic type of greenhouse,” she said. “It is a higher peak than a traditional hoop house and with straight sides which will allow for more grow space.”
Mike Hueston on his tractor, working ground for the  green house. Submitted photo.
Mike Hueston laying out placement for corners of the greenhouse.  Submitted photo.
They will be ordering the greenhouse in the coming weeks, she said.
“With the help of the local U.S. Department of Agriculture office in Fort Scott with another grant, we will be posting online photos of the set up,” she said.
Huestons Saw The Need
“I remember helping my grandma in the garden and eating what she grew,” she said. “When my children were little I grew vegetables to supplement my budget.”
“I worked as a RN for over 25 years and saw the impact of a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables had on their lives,” Lori said. “Many could not afford to buy these at the store due to cost.  Mike is a paramedic  in the community and he also sees what the lack of a good diet has on the community. It is our hope to be able to help the community and family with fresh vegetables and fruit into their daily diet.”
Mike and Lori Hueston are part of the Missouri EMS Funeral Response Team. Here they are in Louisville for the Supporting Hero’s Benefit. They serve the  loved ones of those who have lost someone in emergency medical service while on duty. Submitted photo.

Contact Lori Hueston at 620-363-1383 or email: litttleosagegreenhousellc@gmail.com.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Government, Health Care

AWARENESS AS MEDICAID UNWINDING BEGINS

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CHC/SEK INCREASING PATIENT AWARENESS AS MEDICAID UNWINDING BEGINS

 

On March 31, thousands of Kansans with Medicaid coverage (KanCare) are at risk of losing their coverage as the state moves forward with eligibility redeterminations for more than 500,000 KanCare recipients.  The process has been referred to several ways, including “unwinding,” eligibility reviews, renewals, redetermination. The Medicaid unwinding process also affects Medicaid recipients in Missouri and Oklahoma and in all states, the redetermination process begins when the Medicaid recipient receives a letter from their respective state that they must respond to in order to remain covered.

 

At Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas about 20,000 patients are enrolled in Medicaid coverage and Community Health Workers are working to inform covered patients that renewals are coming back, and to be looking for a letter from their state plan.

 

At the start of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which included a provision that state Medicaid programs keep recipients continuously enrolled through the end of the month in which the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends, in exchange for enhanced federal funding.

 

Three years later, the continuous enrollment provision is set to expire on March 31, and states including Kansas are starting to re-determine annual eligibility for all of their Medicaid recipients. All beneficiaries will receive a Medicaid eligibility redetermination letter requesting information that they must respond to in order to remain covered.

 

Some patients will no longer be eligible due to income, age, or health status change.

 

“One of our concerns at CHC/SEK is that we know the pandemic displaced many KanCare/Medicaid] recipients from their traditional mailing addresses,” says Leah Gagnon, Director of Patient Engagement.  “Our worry is whether or not they thought to notify KanCare or their respective agency of their address change, because if not, they might not know to respond to their redetermination letter.”

 

Gagnon says there are three important questions every KanCare or other Medicaid patient or their guardian needs to ask themselves They are, “Have I moved in the last three years?  If so, did I report my change of address to the appropriate Medicaid agency? And, have I seen an official redetermination letter in my mail box and responded to it? If not, you are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage.” she says.

 

CHC/SEK has planned an extensive awareness campaign including signs and flyers, text messaging, social media posts and videos to educate Medicaid enrollees of the importance of the coming redetermination letters.

 

At CHC/SEK clinics, Community Health Workers and Benefits Enrollment Specialists are available to assist patients in the process and can reach them directly by calling 620-240-8919.

 

Medicaid Recipients can also go to Medicaid.gov and click on their state map, where it takes them to their state Medicaid website to update their address and other information.

 

Medicaid recipients can also contact their appropriate agencies by telephone. The number for Kansas Kancare is 800-792-4884 For Missouri, the MoHealthnet number is 573-751-3425 and, for Oklahoma the Oklahoma Health Authority/Soonercare number is 800-987-7767.

 

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Bourbon County, Fort Scott

FSCC Women’s Luncheon is April 26

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member FSCC…
FSCC Women’s Luncheon!
Ladies, please join us for lunch, door prizes,
and product displays!
11:00 am to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, April, 26, 2023
at FSCC’s Ellis Fine Arts Center.
Ticket price is $5.00 per person.
Please reserve your ticket by April 12th.
To RSVP, call 620.223.2700 or email communityrelationscommittee@fortscott.edu.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!