Monthly Archives: April 2024

Fort Scott

Fort Scott Downed Power Line: Power Is Fully Restored

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The powerline was near the Taco Bell restaurant in Fort Scott.

Seventy-two customers and many townspeople were affected by a power outage that started with a downed power line in Fort Scott on April 16, according to customer service at Evergy, the electrical utility.

The power is fully restored to Fort Scott from yesterday’s outage which happened about 12:15 p.m., according to Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin.

The wind blew down a power pole on the north side of Landmark Bank across from McDonald’s Restaurant at the corner of Hwy. 69 and 23rd Street, according to Matkin.

Helping with the problem were the Fort Scott Police Department, Fort Scott Fire Department, and Evergy, the utility company, he said.

The estimated restoration time was delayed because of strong winds, the Evergy Customer Servicewoman said.
Typically outages don’t last more than a few hours, but when there are several outages around the state, they could take longer, she said.
Hwy. 69 was shut down and 23rd Street going eastbound was closed, according to the Fort Scott Fire Department Facebook page, yesterday,
U.S. 69 was for a time closed to through traffic between K-7 and U.S. 54 at Fort Scott, according to a Kansas Department of Transportation Facebook page.  KDOT was flagging motorists through the scene

 

Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Will’s Gutter Service: Outside Handyman

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Wills Gutter Service. Submitted photo.

William Billings has been mowing yards since he was a child growing up, and started with a push mower as a kid.

Now he has a truck, trailer, and a zero-turn mower, with chainsaws and weed eaters to tackle any job.

Will’s Gutter Service provides weed eater service. Submitted photo.

He has over 15 years of experience mowing and worked for LACO Seamless Gutters for four years as a gutter specialist until the company shut down, he said.

Billings started Will’s Gutter Service last year in Fort Scott.

“The services I provide for the community are mowing yards, gutter cleanouts, gutter inspections and maintenance, tree trimming, leaf and debris clean up,” he said.

 

William Billings, the owner of Will’s Gutter Service, mows a yard. Submitted photo.
To contact Billings call 620-418-3491.
Billings started the business last year to make extra money for his family, he said.
He is a Turner High School graduate from K.C., Kansas.
William Billings is the owner of Will’s Gutter Service and has four years of experience in gutter clean-outs, inspections, and maintenance. Submitted photo.
Government, Kansas

KDOT videos series brings voice to work zone awareness

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TOPEKA – April 15 through April 19 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. But for Kansas Department of Transportation crews and contract workers, their lives depend on work zone awareness every week of the year.

In highway construction zones across the state, workers are especially vulnerable. Many times they work just inches from passing traffic. Flaggers stand before oncoming traffic with only a sign to get motorists to slow down or stop.

“I’ve had more close calls than I can count,” said a veteran KDOT construction zone worker. “I’ve had people come up and actually hit the flagging sign I was holding before they put on the brakes.”

You can hear about similar close calls – in the workers’ own words – in a National Work Zone Awareness Week video series produced by KDOT. The four-part series begins today and will continue throughout this week. Click on the link for each day’s video – http://kansastransportation.blogspot.com/search/label/NWZAW%202024.

One video features members of KDOT workers’ families, who implore motorists to slow down and be alert in work zones.

“I worry every day,” said the spouse of a highway worker. “I always get up in the morning and say a prayer he comes home, that everyone stays safe.”

It’s not only the workers’ lives at stake. Most people injured in work zone crashes are motorists. In 2023, nine people died in Kansas work zone crashes and 498 suffered injuries, KDOT data shows.

The top contributing circumstance of Kansas work zone crashes is inattention. Nationwide over the past several years, speed was a contributing factor in about one-third of fatal work zone crashes, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. About one-fifth of all deadly work zone crashes involve rear-end collisions.

Highway work zones span the entire length of the construction area. The work zone begins with a Road Work Ahead sign and ends with an End Roadwork sign. Work zones are marked with additional signs, including a reduced speed limit.

By heeding those signs, motorists can help protect a whole community of people.

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Bourbon County, Government

The Bourbon County Commission Minutes of April 8

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April 8, 2024                                                                                  Monday, 5:30 p.m.

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with  Commissioners Jim Harris and Clifton Beth and the County Clerk present.

 

Casey Brown with SEK-CAP, Robert Hixon, Jason Silvers, Michael Hoyt, Patty Ropp, Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Brent M. Smith, and Joe Bisogno Jr. were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.

 

Clifton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 4-1-2024, approval of payroll totaling $296,979.09, and approval of accounts payable totaling $558,052.08. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Pete Owenby state he has consulted with an attorney on the solar panel farms and discussed home rule. Mr. Owenby said the commissioners could set regulations such as limiting the number of acres countywide and setting a minimum setback from homes. Mr. Owenby asked several questions of the Commissioners such as if there were any health studies on industrial solar farms done by independent 3rd party organizations and questioned future health issues that could be caused by the solar panels, how does the glare from solar farms affect neighbors, highways, and planes, and how much are the tax values going to change on industrial land since it will no longer be agricultural. Clifton stated that former Governor Sam Brownback passed a 10-year tax abatement. Jim said he would review home rule and stated the Commissioners signed a resolution a year ago at the request of citizens supporting the property rights of landowners.

 

Patty Ropp stated there will be a town hall meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Ellis Fine Arts Building at the college to discuss the ¼ cent sales tax. Another meeting will be held on March 24th at Uniontown City Hall to discuss the sales tax. Jim and Clifton discussed attending the meeting but ultimately decided not to go to allow the focus to  be on the committee presenting the meeting.

 

David Beerbower stated that the Commissioners could make a resolution to outline setbacks and other regulations for all energy projects and not just solar projects. David said the Commissioners should look at the whole population and what we want not just the 27 landowners out of 14,000 residents who have signed up for solar farms.

 

Clint Walker discussed Medicaid expansion and questioned why Kansas has not voted to expand it.

 

Robert Harrington spoke to the commissioners and stated he was here speaking tonight as a Bourbon County resident and taxpayer who was concerned about false information that had been presented at prior meetings Mr. Harrington stated from a fiscal standpoint hosting solar farms could increase property value of 400 million dollars which would be a serious tax relief to our residents. Mr. Harrington discussed the strained electrical grid which will only get worse as our country grows and stated we should embrace solar and wind energy as a way to help alleviate some of that strain.

 

Casey Brown with SEK-CAP attended the meeting to be available if the Commissioners had any questions relating to the funding request that was tabled from last week’s meeting. SEK-CAP is  asking for $3,000 to help fund general transportation services in Bourbon County. Clifton made a motion to approve $3,000 for SEK-CAP. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Susan Walker, CFO, discussed questions posed at a previous meeting regarding the additional distribution and the funds FSCC received. Susan said her position at the county is to review each fund for compliance after 5 years of audit violations. The goal for 2022 was to develop internal controls which she feels was accomplished as there was only one audit violation in 2022 and that was an inventory violation. Susan stated that Jennifer started as Clerk in January 2023, so Jennifer was unable to fix the 2022 violation, but that the Clerk ensured we were in compliance with our inventory for 2023 to avoid violations.

Susan said she has been working to find weaknesses in our internal control and day to day operations and that the Clerk, Treasurer, Appraiser, and herself are all working well together to identify issues and rectify them.

Susan said the additional distribution that was made this year stemmed from a TIF district that was created but did not go through, so tax money was going into the TIF fund and accumulating, but was not being pulled into the distributions. Money was sent to several organizations including Fort Scott Community College, Bourbon County, USD 234, and the City of Fort Scott.

Susan stated we’ve learned a lot and are working towards total transparency which is what we are trying to accomplish tonight by discussing these issues publicly.

Susan asked Patty Love, Matt Quick, and Jennifer Hawkins to join her to discuss the Neighborhood Revitalization Project. Susan said she wanted to start with explaining that the issues we are going to discuss are all from prior administrations that we have worked together to identify and correct.

Susan explained how the NRP process begins in the Appraiser’s office, would go to the Clerk’s office to check for accuracy and to be placed on the abstract, and end up in the Treasurer’s office where checks are issued for the abatements.

Susan said that those who participated in 2018 were not correctly listed in the abstract so some did not receive enough back for NRP and that the base values were not entered correctly.

Susan said it will be a very time-consuming process to calculate the correct rates for each NRP participant as she will have to do so manually, so she doesn’t have a dollar amount to present to the Commissioners yet.

Susan said she will need direction on how we move forward and understands that the Commissioners will need time to decide but that an option is to go to errors and omissions on insurance for the issue.

Susan stated she will need a few weeks as there are over 100 properties to look at and that will give the Commissioners time to think.

The commercial side of the NRP is going to be the biggest cost as one property she has looked at is approximately $10,000 off.

Clifton stated he will have a property that will be going on NRP soon and asked if the program is fixed for those new applicants, and Matt said yes it will be correct moving forward.

 

Jennifer Hawkins. County Clerk, discussed a KDHE public notice she received for the renewal of a NPDES Water Pollution Control permit for an existing facility at Maple Ridge Mobile Home Park. The public notice will be available in the Clerk’s office until May 4th for anybody who would like to see it or get in contact with the state with any questions or concerns they may have.

Jennifer stated the sales tax election will be held on May 14th with early voting beginning on May 6th at the courthouse. Anybody who is not registered to vote will need to do so by April 24th in order to vote in the sales tax election. Advance ballot applications would need to be submitted to the Clerk’s office by April 30th to receive a ballot for the sales tax election. If residents have already submitted a permanent ballot application, then they do not need to do anything further, a ballot will be sent to them as usual. Jennifer asked if the Commissioners wanted to track the results of the election by precinct or district and they stated no, that was not necessary.

 

Justin Meeks, County Counselor, requested a 5-minute executive session for on-going active litigation and potential litigation. Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session under 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 to include the two Commissioners and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:32. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:32 with no action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Clifton said he is 100% against zoning and is not in favor of solar farms but that they cannot regulate some and not all. Clifton said we cannot do home rule that landowners could sue us and win since we would take away their right to earn money. Jim agreed stating he does not support zoning and that groups have asked us to support property rights of owners and that people can’t pick and choose because sooner or later they will be the neighbor.

 

Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:44. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________,Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                                    ___________________, Commissioner

 

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

4-15-2024                               Approved Date

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by Bo Co Conservation District on April 18

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Join us for Chamber Coffee!

Thursday, April 18th, 8am
Hosted by The Bourbon County Conservation District

1515 South Judson
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guest to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Bourbon County Conservation District, Thursday, April 18th at 8 a.m., located at 1515 S. Judson St. Attendees will be able to enter a drawing to win prizes. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

 

The Bourbon County Conservation District mission of “Protecting what we have today to have something left for tomorrow” is still going strong after 79 years. They are committed to continue to help landowners preserve and protect their natural resources of soil & water. District Manager Mandy Shoemaker and the Conservation District Board are excited to host the Chamber coffee and welcome everyone to attend.

Chamber members and guests are invited to Chamber Coffee events each Thursday at 8 a.m. to network, make announcements, hear about happenings in the community as well as learn about the host business or organization.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

Click here to check out their Facebook page!

 
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members

shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Government, Kansas

Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

April 12, 2024

 

Property Tax Relief was passed by the Senate in Conference Committee Report (CCR) 2096, but hit a brick wall in the House.  The provisions include:

  • Expand the property tax freeze for seniors and disabled veterans so more people qualify
  • Eliminate personal property taxes on items not used for business purposes, such as off-road ATVs, 15,000 lbs. trailers, motorized wheelchairs, bicycles, scooters, watercraft, and golfcarts
  • Veterans’ Valor property tax relief program providing for totally disabled and unemployable
  • Provide the current year and a four-year lookback on property valuation notices
  • Allow payment under protest and appealing valuation in the same year if new evidence is provided
  • Establish government competition property tax exemption
  • Clarify 1031 exchange, build-to-suit, or sale/leaseback are not used establishing fair-market value

Property tax provisions in CCR 2096 will help many, especially seniors in need and disabled veterans.  However, the House believed inaccurate information that there are two provisions for the rich and big businesses.  The government competition piece is to stop governments from running a business that directly competes with businesses.  It is a problem and this legislation is a shot across the bow to try to stop this practice.  It is narrowly crafted for day-cares, health clubs, and restaurants within a city or 5 mile radius, but will most likely be expanded to include hotels/motels at some point.  Topeka City Council bought and is running a hotel.  Taxpayer funded lobbyist, such as the Kansas County Commissioners and the League of Municipalities opposed the legislation, but they offer no solution.  The business has to be in existence before the government started a competing business.  The State Constitution exempts government from property taxes, so it makes sense to provide directly competing businesses the same benefit, until the government stops running or sells the business.  The other provision taxpayer lobbyists are against is  making it clear that the value of property should be considered, not the rent or income the property generates.  Would you want your income to be considered in the value of your home?  All of the provisions in the bill deal with property tax.  The House voted to send CCR 2096 back to conference committee.

Leadership may or may not allow the conference committee to meet again and if not, the CCR will be lost this year unless the House does a motion to reconsider the first day we return for veto session.  The House could pass the CCR and send it to the Governor, since it has passed the Senate 23 to 14.  I voted Yes.

I agree that each bill should pass on its own, but all of this legislation did not pass both chambers, so the only chance for it to pass this year is in a CCR.  The conference committee put legislation together in CCRs by topics – property tax, sales tax, administrative, pro-life, and such.  The only tax committee CCR that did not pass both chambers was CCR 2096.

I have worked diligently on provisions in this CCR, property tax relief for seniors, disabled veterans, and the personal property tax exemptions for all.  Let’s hope we don’t lose the CCR and that the House or the Governor doesn’t throw the “baby out with the bathwater”, and focus on all the good in this CCR.

Governor’s Veto Pen could break last year’s record number of 17.  There was also a record number of veto overrides last year.  Because the last day of session was early, there wasn’t a chance to override all of the vetoed legislation and that could happen this year, including CCR 2096 if the House were to pass it.  There was an attempt to override 14 of the 17 last year.  Eight of the overrides were successful.  There have been 6 vetoes this year: 2436, making it unlawful to force an abortion; 2446, making it unlawful to ban plastic bags; 2749, requiring reporting of each abortion; 2648, requiring impact statements of rules and regulations that have the force of law; 233, prohibiting sex changes of minors; and 434, exempting sugaring hair removal from cosmetology requirements.  It takes 2/3 majority in each chamber to override a veto.

 

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

Caryn

Bourbon County, Government

Unofficial Minutes of the Uniontown City Council for April 9

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The Regular Council Meeting on April 9, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:02PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, and Mary Pemberton.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Heather Jackson, Danny Taylor, Codes Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

Heather Jackson turned in an Application for Placement of Mobile Home at 405 Hill St.  After discussion:

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to approve the Application for Placement of Mobile Home at 405 Hill St.

 

Danny Taylor asked if he could put up new No Parking, Loading/Unloading Zone signs at each drive of his storage units.  After discussion, the city will provide the signs of his choice.  He also asked about the size of rock to dress up his drives.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger presented the March 2023 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $268,423.36, Receipts $61,625.33, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $52,175.70, Checking Account Closing Balance $274,846.99. Bank Statement Balance $281,085.53, including Checking Account Interest of $60.89, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $6,238.54, Reconciled Balance $274,846.99.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,243.06, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,264.85, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $39,027.01, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $372,381.91. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $173.43, and Utility CDs $436.08 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $609.51.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of March 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  March Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00 for Total Transfers of $3,026.00.  Net Income for the month of March $6,423.63, Year-to-Date Net Income $39,367.79.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $26,687.77 (21.6%), Expenditures $31,016.80 (19.1%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $8,651.07 (23.4%), Expenditures $8,728.22 (20.7%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $59,321.33 (40.5%), Expenditures $32,371.80 (18.2%); General Fund YTD Revenue $75,848.78 (46.2%), Expenditures $52,497.08 (25.9%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $2,077.58 (28.6%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The April 2024 payables to date in the amount of $44,672.83 were presented.  The invoices from KMGA, Homestead Tech, Phillips 66, and Ag Engineering have not been received at noon meeting day.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of March 12, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, March 19, 2024 Special Council Meeting, and March 25, 2024 Special Council Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich presented a quote from USDI to replace 4 gas system valves that are getting hard to turn.  Council requested he get two more quotes before taking action.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan discussed various projects being completed around town.  He asked for the Junk Vehicle ordinance as he will be visiting some locations.  He submitted a letter to Clerk Johnson to be put in the newsletter and on the webpage.

 

Clerk Johnson informed the Council that Bourbon County Commission has scheduled a special election for May 14, our next meeting date.  Polls are open 7AM to 7PM.  She asked if our meeting needed moved or if we would ask county to find another venue.

 

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Ervin, Approved 3-0 to change our meeting time on May 14, 2024 to 7:30PM

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 3-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to review applications of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:25PM

 

Open meeting resumed at 8:25PM.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to call a Special Meeting to enter into executive session to interview non-elected personnel applicants on April 17, 2024 at 5:45PM.

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – absent

Councilwoman Pemberton – asked if the bench near where the horseshoe pitch area can be moved.  It is set in concrete.

Councilman Stewart – absent

Mayor Jurgensen – nothing

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pond Project – final paperwork has been submitted to Don George, KDWPT.  Project finished under budget.

 

Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – discussed the painting of the lines for the court and bench placement.

 

Warehouse project – Another contractor was contacted for a quote to fill in the scales.  He does not have time for the project.  No response from attorney on process to sell the Weed Barn to offset cost of refurbishing the warehouse as discussed last month.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to hire Rogers and Sons to fill in the scales at the warehouse.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Jurgensen stated that Bettis Asphalt will be putting a temporary asphalt plant in Bourbon County this summer and has a job on 54 Highway and in Bronson.  They will be in town to repair any areas that were asphalted last year.  He suggested that the council review the streets and designate which areas of need for this year.  Clerk Johnson will email them with approximate amount available for street resurfacing.

 

Moved by Pemberton, Second by Ervin, Approved 3-0, to adjourn at 9:01PM

Obituary

The Obituary of David Hunt

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David Lee Hunt, age 92, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at his home.  He was born September 7, 1931, in Centralia, Missouri, the son of Arlie L. Hunt I and Viola Mentze Hunt.  Dave married Hildred Feezell on October 10, 1953, in Ft. Scott.

In earlier years, Dave worked for Coca-Cola in Ft. Scott.  He later began a career in the printing industry.  He trained at Witt Printing in Eldorado Springs, Missouri and later worked at Mid-America Business Forms, Ennis Printing and finally Ward/Kraft.

In addition to printing, Dave also worked as a handyman.  He worked countless hours doing carpentry work and painting for area residents.

Dave loved the Lord and will be remembered for his faithfulness to the Kingdom.  He never wanted to miss and opportunity to tell someone about Jesus or to help a person in need.  He faithfully attended the Parkway Church of God (Holiness).

 

Survivors include his daughter, Terri Crum and her husband, Jesse, of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, his grandson, Brian Crum and his wife, Allison of Bentonville, Arkansas and his great-grandson, Logan Crum.  Also surviving are a sister, Edna Byram of Erin, Tennessee and two sisters-in-law, Sandra Hunt of Arkansas and Billie Hunt of Arizona.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Hildred on May 1, 2016.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Arlie Hunt II, Russell Hunt and John Hunt and a sister, Arlene Hunt.

 

Rev. Nathan Bryant will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 20th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights 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.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Volunteers & Donations Requested Downtown Spring Clean

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Organized by the Downtown Divison of the
Chamber Board!
Engaging opportunities within our community!

Volunteers & Donations Requested

Downtown Spring Clean

Monday, April 22nd, 4-6pm

See information below.

Sign-ups to volunteer requested by April 15th!
Just a reminder the Downtown clean up is ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

There is still time to register to volunteer!

If you are unable to volunteer we are also in need a few tools to make this event happen – such as:

*flat blade shovels or hoes *scoop shovels *brooms *weed eaters *leaf rakes *pruning shears *step stools Those things can be dropped off at Lyons Realty Group this week *Make sure to clearly label your things so we can get them returned.

Can’t wait to see our downtown freshen up just in time for spring!!

The first 150 participants will receive a free t-shirt, courtesy of MyOneStop.

Those who are interested in volunteering may contact Bailey Lyons, Downtown Division Chair, at 620-224-7795 or email [email protected].
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Gordon Parks Museum, History

Gordon Parks Museum offers Hughes-Parks Traveling Exhibit Display

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Fort Scott, Kan. April. 15, 2024 – A panel-display exhibit featuring the collaborations and connections between Gordon Parks and Langston Hughes is now available for temporary loan-out to educational entities and organizations across the state of Kansas.

Titled “Harlem Renaissance and the Renaissance Man,” the display highlights and explores the history, journey and friendship of the two men, one a poet (Hughes) and the other a photographer (Parks), and their impact on the arts.

 

The museum has four identical versions of the panel display ready to travel to schools, colleges, universities, libraries, etc. The displays were made possible through an award grant with Humanities Kansas and support by Kansas Tourism.

 

“The exhibit display creates a great opportunity in helping to keep both of the legacies and triumphs of Langston Hughes and Gordon Parks alive,” said Kirk Sharp, museum, executive director.

 

The panels are 36-inches-by-91-inches and include graphics, photos and text information and a QR code. They come with a carrying case with wheels that can easily be moved for display at varying locations. There is no charge for renting the displays, but certain fees might apply for delivery, set-up, shipping, etc.

 

For more information, contact the museum by phone at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or by email at [email protected].

 

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Kansas, Youth

Boys State of Kansas Offering College Credit, Scholarships for Attendees

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April 15, 2024 — The American Legion Boys State of Kansas has announced a partnership with Kansas State University to offer attendees of the leadership program three hours of college credit at a significant discount. This year’s ALBSK will be held Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 8, on KSU’s campus in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 32nd consecutive session at KSU and 86th overall.

Kansas State is offering two sections of Introduction to Political Science (POLSC 110) specifically for Kansas Boys State attendees. Attending KBS will fulfill a portion of the course requirements with additional course work assigned by the instructor, Nate Birkhead, Ph.D., associate professor of political science. KBS attendees wishing to take advantage of this course will be enrolled as a KSU student, but they do not have to attend K-State as the credit hours will be transferable. The tuition for the course will be $366 (payable to K-State), a nearly 70 percent savings over the regular three-hour online tuition rate of $1,181.25. KBS attendees should contact their school guidance counselor to enroll in the course.

In addition, Kansas Boys State attendees also have the opportunity to earn two scholarships — the Samsung American Legion Scholarship, worth up to $10,000, and the Boys State of Kansas Director’s Scholarship, worth up to $1,500. For more information on the Samsung Scholarship, visit legion.org/scholarships/samsung; for more information on the KBS Director’s Scholarship, e-mail [email protected] or call (785) 550-6492.

 

The American Legion Boys State of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.

The ALBSK program is for individuals who will complete their junior or sophomore year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. The cost to attend Kansas Boys State is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or the family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2024 session should visit ksbstate.org to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2024 program is Tuesday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis. Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit ksbstate.org/sponsor-a-delegate. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at [email protected] or (785) 550-6492.

For information about the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, June 2, through Friday, June 8, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit ksgirlsstate.org.

— #KSBoysState —

 

The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.

The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.