All posts by Loretta George

Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott Preschool To Expand

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The Fort Scott Preschool, at 409 S. Judson.

USD 234 is making preschool for students a priority, according to Nicki Traul, director of curriculum.

“We are very fortunate that students have many opportunities for preschool in Fort Scott,” she said.  “This initiative isn’t to compete with those other preschools.”

Many kindergarten students have not had any early childhood opportunities, Traul said.

“Our expansion is so that we can find those students and get them in a program,” she said. ” The district wants to see that every USD 234 child gets at least one year of preschool prior to starting kindergarten.  We need all the preschools in town to be able to do that.”

Traul is attempting to contact all preschool providers in town to establish an early childhood professional learning community.

“It helps us as a district to work with the other preschools,” she said.  “Why wouldn’t we want to help each other? ”

In an effort to collaborate with other Fort Scott preschools,  Traul has organized a meeting.

Invitations will be sent to area preschools for representatives to meet at 1 p.m. on April 12 in the Fort Scott Middle School Community Room.

Sandy Ellsworth, Greenbush Early Childhood Department, will facilitate the meeting.

The community is welcome to attend.

“We are excited at the opportunity to work with others in our community and the good that will come from that,” Traul said.  “Our students need to be our focus and our priority, as a community we need to support early childhood and help each other.”

The USD 234 preschool is located at 409 S. Judson, in back of the former middle school.

Traul said the USD 234 plan is to carve out classrooms from an existing gym at the preschool.

The gym is partially used for the cafeteria and storage currently.

Nicki Traul, USD 234 Director of Curriculum, tells about the expansion project of the Fort Scott Preschool in the pre-school gym, where the new classrooms will be located.
The Fort Scott Preschool gym is currently partially used for storage as well as the cafeteria.
Area News, Submitted

Senator Richard Hilderbrand Weekly Newsletter March 9

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State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

March 9, 2018 ∙ Week Nine

Quote of the Week:
“The Constitution shall never be construed…to prevent the people of the United States

Who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.”

– Samuel Adams, Debates and Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts, 86-87

HARD FACTS:

Many of us have “learn a new language” on our to-do list. With Mango Languages, you can learn over 70 languages right from your own computer (or smartphone!). This online language learning service provided by the State Library is easy to use. Choose from 72 languages including Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese, plus many more. Mango uses real life situations and conversations to more effectively teach a new language.  Mango also includes 19 English as a second language options. Use as a Guest or register to track your progress (and for smartphone use). https://kslib.info/Mango

If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas.  Most people will be automatically recognized as inside Kansas and will not need this step.   Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.  To see all the State Library’s online resources, visit http://kslib.info/eor

It was nice to have a chance to discuss issues in the Capitol, with faculty and students from the Pittsburg State University Social Work Program, this week.

FLOOR ACTION:

MICROBREWERY CONTRACTING (HB 2470): House Bill 2470 allows Kansas microbreweries to contract with other microbreweries to sell and package beer and hard cider. The legislation regulates the amount of beer and hard cider that can be transported between facilities. This bill passed the Senate 39-0.

CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE SALE REGULATIONS (HB 2502): House Bill 2502 allows cereal malt beverage (no more than 6.0 percent alcohol volume) licenses to be subject to state and local taxes instead of the state liquor tax. This bill passed the Senate 39-0.

CONVENTION OF STATES (SCR 1611): Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611 makes the application to the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government. This bill failed 22-16 (The resolution needed 27 votes or two-thirds in favor to pass). I voted against this bill, for the following reasons;

    • Why do we need another resolution calling for a convention of states, when in 1978 the state passed SCR 1661, and in 1995 the state passed HCR 5008, both calling for a convention?
    • We have not clearly defined how we will be picking our delegates to represent our state. We must have a defined process that will ensure that the voice of our citizens is properly represented. (We can’t wait until a convention is called and then do a continuing resolution to address this, like the sponsors of this resolution suggest. To do that would be akin to Nancy Pelosi saying we needed to pass Obama Care so we would know what’s in it.)
    • We have not clearly defined the rules of which our delegates will follow, to ensure that the size and scope of a convention will not produce any “clarifying clauses” on any existing amendments. (The organization that is sponsoring this resolution admitted recently that they had a focus group that was working on a “clarifying clause” for the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment is already clear enough: “…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed upon.” If they have admitted to working on this “clarifying clause” what other amendments are they working on?)
    • We have not clearly defined the rules for which the amendments coming out of a convention will be ratified. (Before the convention of 1787, 13 of 13 states were needed to ratify any amendments to The Articles of Confederation. The result of that convention was the new Constitution of the United States that only needed 9 of 13 states to ratify. How did that happen, and why?)
    • If we say that we truly understand that the will of the people includes term limits for public office. Why are we are going to pass a resolution demanding term limits for the US Congress, while we ourselves won’t pass term limits on ourselves.
    • If we truly believe that the will of the people is for the US Congress to have a balanced budget, why do we ourselves balance our budget only by passing record retroactive $1.2 billion tax increases, increasing our own indebtedness, continuing to sweep funds from KDOT, delaying more KPERS payments, and other budget maneuvers to balance ours.
    • If we truly believe that the will of the people is to pass a resolution to impose restrictions on the power and jurisdiction of our US Congress. Shouldn’t we ourselves work on cutting and eliminating our nearly 10,000 active state regulations.
    • We understand the anger and frustration of our citizens when it comes to our elected officials. We understand that they demand change, and they demand it now. We as state legislators just don’t understand that this frustration, anger and need for change includes us as well.

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to address these concerns. With the state of Kansas already having two active resolutions calling for a convention, we cannot delay in addressing these concerns. The time to correct these issues is now, not after a convention has been called.

SENATOR DOLL’S PARTY AFFILIATION CHANGE:

This week Senator John Doll (I- Garden City) changed his party affiliation from republican to independent. Senator Doll changed his party affiliation to join Greg Orman’s independent ticket for governor.

In 2006, Doll ran as a democrat for US Congress against Jerry Moran in District 1. From 2010-2011 Doll served as the mayor of Garden City and then served in the Kansas House of Representatives as a republican from 2013 to 2016. Doll has been in the Kansas Senate since 2016.

Due to Sen. Doll’s affiliation change and in accordance to Senate Rule 22, the following Senators have replaced Sen. Doll in his committees:

  • Education Committee: Senator Larry Alley – Vice Chair

Senator Bruce Givens

  • Ethics, Elections, & Local Government Committee: Senator Susan Wagle
  • Transportation Committee: Senator Dan Goddard – Vice Chair

Senator Ty Masterson

  • Ways & Means Committee: Senator Susan Wagle

Presenting the Fort Scott USD 234 Debate Team with a Senate Resolution congratulating and commending the members of the Fort Scott High School debate team for their performance in the class 4A state debate tournament.

Senators Hilderbrand and Tyson introduced the following Senate resolution, which

was read:

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1773―

A RESOLUTION

congratulating and commending the members of the Fort Scott High

School debate team for their performance in the class 4A state debate tournament.

WHEREAS, The Fort Scott High School debate team traveled to Coffeyville,

Kansas, for the 4A State Debate Tournament on January 12 and 13; and

WHEREAS, The team was represented in the four-speaker division by the regional

championship team of Darby Toth, Rebekah Sweyko, Joe Adams and Isabella Provence,

with alternates Kaden Kiwan and Ashtyn Dowell. The team took fourth place to KC

Piper, Bishop Miege and Louisburg by one win; and

WHEREAS, In the two-speaker division, the team took four pairs, the maximum

number allowed for a school. In order to qualify, the teams earned a win-loss record of

50% or better over four tournaments above the novice level. Fort Scott was represented

by the teams of Madison Toth and Mark Adams; Zoe Self and Elizabeth Ngatia;

Brooklyn Lyons and Dalton Womeldorff; and Tayton Majors and Sara Al-Shawish; and

WHEREAS, Sixty teams participated in the tournament and all four Fort Scott teams

broke to double octofinals. In the double octofinal round, Madison Toth and Mark

Adams lost to Nickerson, while Brooklyn Lyons and Dalton Womeldorff lost to

Louisburg. Tayton Majors and Sara Al-Shawish made it to the quarterfinals and ended

up fourth after losing to Topeka Hayden. The team of Zoe Self, a first-year debater, and

Elizabeth Ngatia, a second-year debater, lost in the finals to Wichita Collegiate and

brought home the second-place trophy; and

WHEREAS, The Fort Scott High School debate team has been state champion or

state runner-up in four of the last five years and is coached by Amber Toth, with

assistant coaches Travis Toth and Sarah Bahr: Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas:

That we congratulate and

commend the Fort Scott High School debate team and their coaches for their

outstanding performance in the class 4A state debate tournament; and

Be it further resolved:

That the Secretary of the Senate shall send enrolled copies of

this resolution to Senators Hilderbrand and Tyson, and 18 enrolled copies to Amber

Toth.

On emergency motion of

Senator Hilderbrand

SR 1773

was adopted unanimously.

The senate honored the students with a standing ovation.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN STATEWIDE OFFICE:

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government held a hearing on HB 2539 which deals with qualifications for candidates seeking certain statewide office. The bill would list a minimum age requirement to run for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and insurance commissioner.

Currently, there is not a minimum age requirement therefore any current resident of Kansas is eligible to run. There were two proponents of the bill at Wednesday’s hearing, the Kansas Secretary of State’s office and Kansas House Representative Blake Carpenter. Both noted that a “qualified elector” should be at least 18 years of age.

Wichita Eagle Exposes Web of Special Carve-Outs in Kansas Tax Law

On February 26th, the Wichita Eagle published an article by Jonathan Shorman (http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article202129814.html) discussing the multitude of tax exemptions that are provided in Kansas law. As the article reveals:

“All told, Kansas grants more than $6 billion in credits and exemptions each year, according to a report last fall (http://www.kslpa.org/assets/files/reports/r-17-015.pdf) from state auditors. The vast majority — about $5.9 billion — comes from sales tax exemptions.

Just over 80 percent of what the state gives away in sales tax exemptions is required by the federal government or needed to avoid double taxation, auditors said in a 2010 review. For example, Kansas has a sales tax exemption for food stamps based on federal law.

That means the state directly controls about $1.2 billion a year in exemptions and credits.”

In the past, conservatives in the Kansas Legislature have attempted to reform the process for granting exemptions and/or repeal some with the goal of reducing overall rates for all Kansans. As Rep. John Whitmer said in the article:

“If we had had that kind of revenue coming in, would they have had to do a $1.2 billion retroactive tax increase? Would we be fighting the courts? My take: Yes, because we would have spent all that money anyway. But I’m sure it would be a different picture.”

NFIB: Small Businesses Can’t Afford Higher Property Taxes
https://www.nfib.com/content/news/kansas/nfib-small-businesses-cant-afford-higher-property-taxes/

Key Excerpt:

As we know anecdotally, small businesses rank property taxes among the most despised taxes because they pay the tax whether they are producing income or not. Indeed, our research backs up this claim. In NFIB’s most recent Small Business Problems and Priorities (http://www.nfib.com/assets/NFIB-Problems-and-Priorities-2016.pdf), a publication with extensive research on the problems facing small businesses, property taxes were the 8th most concerning issue, which was just ahead of state income tax rates at 9th.


HOUSE COMMITTEE DEBATES BILL TO HIKE PROPERTY TAXES

House Tax Committee held a hearing this week on a bill that, if passed, could nearly double the statewide mill levy from the current 20.0 mills to 38.43 mills in 2021. This would mean an increase in property taxes collected nearly two-fold.

Details of HB 2740:

Estimated property tax revenues from the current 20.00 mill levy for FY 2019 are $670.3 million.

The Kansas Department of Revenue estimates HB 2740 would increase revenues from the mill levy by a total of $234.9 million in FY 2019, $445.4 million in FY 2020 and $640.5 million in FY 2021.

HOUSE LEADERSHIP RELEASES KANSAS SAFE AND SECURE SCHOOLS ACT

HB 2773, the Kansas Safe and Secure Schools Act, was introduced in the House this week. The act creates the school safety and security grant fund, requires the State Board of Education to develop statewide requirements for public school buildings and requires public school districts to adopt a comprehensive school safety plan, based on the SBOE requirements. The act also allows school districts to provide firearm safety programs and adds an additional 2 FTE to the Department of Education for the management of the Safe and Secure Schools Act.

Details of HB 2773

  • Creates the School Safety and Security Grand Fund, which the State Board of Education will administer.
    • Allows for $5.0 million to be used for infrastructure improvements and training.
  • State Board of Education will develop statewide requirements for public school buildings, which shall include, but are not limited to; building infrastructure, technology and communication systems.
  • School district will be required to adopt a comprehensive school safety plan based on the SBOE requirements, which should include:
    • Staff training
    • Emergency drills
    • Communication procedures
    • Lockdown procedures
    • Evacuation procedures
    • Evaluation of building infrastructure
    • Review of existing emergency procedures
    • Recovery procedures and distribution of safety plan
  • HB 2773 authorizes school districts to provide firearm safety education programs, such as the Eddie Eagle program or any other evidence-based program.
  • HB 2773 also adds 2 FTE to the Department of Education to manage the School Safety and Security Act, with a cost of $300,000 annually.

NEXT WEEK:

MONDAY-

  • Hearing on: SCR 1612, urging the state corporation commission to lower retail electric rates to regionally competitive levels – [Senate Commerce Committee, March 12 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2441, audits of state agencies; financial-compliance audits; Kansas lottery security audit; selection of auditors, contracts with – [Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing and staff briefing on (written testimony only): HB 2579, providing compensation for a person who was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing and staff briefing on (written testimony only): HB 2571, regulating access to certain law enforcement audio and video recordings – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Discussion on: Higher education budget – [Senate Ways and Means Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 423, amending the Kansas school equity and enhancement act by eliminating the 10% at-risk floor and expanded uses of capital outlay – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance, March 12 at 3:30 pm]

TUESDAY-

  • Hearing on: HB 2691, modifying notification requirements for the division of water resources regarding multi-year flex accounts and water right applications — [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, March 13 at 8:30am]
  • Hearing on: Sub HB 2040, increasing the penalties for subsequent violations of traffic regulations prohibiting improper passing of school buses — [Senate Transportation Committee, March 13 at 8:30]
  • Pending referral, hearing on: SB 437, concerning sales and compensating use tax; relating to exemptions, sales of currency, certain coins or bullion — [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 13 at 9:30]
  • Hearing on: (proponents) HB 2506, rehabilitation of abandoned property by cities — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee, March 13 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2639, allowing KDHE to collect a fee for fingerprinting individuals maintain or residing, working or regularly volunteering at a child care facility — [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 13 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: SB 436, providing Medicaid coverage for cessation treatments — [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 13 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2581, increasing criminal penalties for the crime of giving a false alarm in certain circumstance — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 13 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: Sub HB 2359, enacting the Kansas cybersecurity act for executive branch agencies — [Senate Ways and Means Committee, March 13 at 10:30am]

WEDNESDAY-

  • Hearing on: SB 362, exempting labor from depreciation in certain property and casualty insurance claims — [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, March 14 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2465, designating Kansas commission on veteran’s affairs office employees as safety sensate positions subject to drug screening — [Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, March 14 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2459, amending the Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act and establishing the Kansas asset seizure and forfeiture repository — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 14 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2419, state finances; transfers to and expenditures from the budget stabilization fund; transfers to the Kansas public employees retirement fund — [Senate Ways and Means Committee, March 14 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2602, creating the legislative task force on dyslexia — [Senate Education Committee, March 14 at 1:30pm]

THURSDAY-

  • Hearing on: Sub HB 2147, providing an income tax refund for certain Native American veterans — [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 15 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2505, cities; when mayor is considered part of the governing body for voting purposes — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee, March 15 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2597, Sedgwick county designated an urban area — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee, March 15 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2481, updating the Kansas adoption and relinquishment act — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 15 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: SB 424, establishing the office of education inspector general — [Senate Education Committee, March 15 at 1:30pm]

FRIDAY-

  • Hearing on: SB 435, permitting real estate brokers and salespersons to give clients or customers rebates if disclosed in the purchase contract or listing agreement — [Senate Commerce Committee, March 16 at 8:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2524, allowing petitions for a protection from abuse order to include a request for transfer of rights to a wireless telephone number —[Senate Utilities Committee, March 16 at 1:30pm]
  • Presentation on: Joint Senate Select Committee on Education Finance & House K-12 Education Budget Committee — [Senate Select Committee on Education and Finance, March 16 at 1pm]

Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:

Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.

YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.

Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools

Escape Room Event Comes To FSCC

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Fort Scott Community College President’s Ambassadors have come up with a fun way to fundraise, and add an entertainment venue to the community.

“Last fall, Matt Glades, Jennalee Martin and I went to an escape room in Joplin,” Kassie Fugate-Cate said. All three are staff/faculty at the college.

“An escape room is an interactive game/puzzle where groups of people are locked in a room and have to solve puzzles and find clues to escape, all within 60 minutes,” according to  Newsweek Magazine.

Following the Joplin excursion, Glades proposed an idea to the Ambassadors of designing and implementing an escape room for fundraising, Fugate- Cate said. They agreed.

“He got them a room, they did the rest,” Fugate-Cate said.

“We began planning in August,” Haley O’Neal, an FSCC Ambassador said. “We just now got to the point to financially support it.”

The cost isn’t much, but a camera had to be installed in the room.

“We had to install a camera, which was $500,” O’Neal said. “Legally we had to be able to watch so there is no property damage (to the school).

“We did research on designing a room, (and) one of our Ambassadors had been through a lot of escape rooms,” O’Neal said.

The theme the group chose for their room is “Secret Agency.”

The lights are turned off the duration of the time in the escape room.

“Initially, someone must find the flashlight,” O’Neal said.

Waivers must be signed and fees paid 24 hours prior to the assigned time.

Prices are $5 for students and faculty/staff, $10 for community members. A team is comprised of up to five people.

The escape event is available Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 6 to 8 p..m or by appointment.

Contact the admissions office at 620.223.2700 ext. 3520 or email [email protected] for more information.

Participants must be at the escape room 15 minutes prior to their assigned time. If a time has been scheduled, no refund will be provided.

Several groups have spent time in the “Secret Agency” room for trial runs, Fugate-Cate said.

“The best time they have now is 30 minutes,” Fugate- Cate said.

The storyline will be changed periodically, Fugate- Cate said, to keep it interesting.

“I love that we are trying something new,” O’Neal said. “The Ambassadors are creating a fundraiser to do a fun day together later.”

O’Neal said the group has a plan to  Main Event Entertainment in Kansas City on April 14.

 

Area News, Bourbon County

Area Artists Exhibit At Ellis Art Center

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Juror Tera Schultz holds a piece of artwork prior to the exhibit, in an effort to photograph the art without environmental light reflection. The piece is entitled “Young Soul, Seared Heart”  is by Jezeriah Simpson and was awarded second place in the drawing and graphics category.
Tera Schultz, Iola, tells the attendees why this piece was chosen best of the show for the 26th Annual Fine Arts Exhibit and Sale Wednesday evening. Shultz was the juror for the event.
Deb Halsey left, and Deb Anderson, right, discuss the artwork they are helping to prepare for display at the Bourbon County Art Council’s Annual Fine Arts Exhibit and Sale.

The Bourbon County Arts Council’s 26th Annual Fine Arts Exhibit and Sale has grown over the years, according to the judge who picked the winners.

Schultz judged about four years ago she said.

“There is a lot more artwork this time, 125 pieces,” Schultz said. “Last time it was 80ish pieces.”

This year is a bigger variety as well, she said.

Schultz said she looks for composition, color techniques, and technical skills when she judges art.

This year she felt like the jewelry pieces “were really beautifully done, they were amazing,” she said.

The exhibit continues from noon to 7 p.m. through March 9 at the Ellis Fine Art Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

Featured below are the first and second place winners of the exhibit.

First place ceramics, Al Letner, Pittsburg.
Second place ceramics, Bobbie Kemna, Fort Scott.

 

First place sculpture, Kenzie Curran, Farlington.
Second place sculpture, Maxine Rader, Lamar, Mo.
First place mixed media, Robert Schlyer, Rich Hill, Mo.
Second place watercolor, Anita Wilson, Thayer.
First place watercolor, Jake Marshall, Overland Park.
Best of the show, 2-dimension, Carol Melton, Lamar, Mo.
First place drawing and graphics, Irene Schomacker, Spring Hill.
Second place mixed media, Lonny Vaughn Matlock, Girard.
Best of show jewelry, Chris Page, Fort Scott.
First place pastel, Chance Fuhrman, Bronson.
Second place jewelry, Barbara Gibson, Fort Scott.
First place jewelry, John Bartelsmeyer, Fort Scott.
First place photography, Linda Teeter, Carl Junction, Mo.
Second place pastel, Douglas Linthicum, Lamar, Mo.
Artist Kole Wagner stands in front of his winning submission to the art exhibit, which earned second place in photography.

Pictured below are some glimpses of artwork submitted to the exhibition by area artists.

The attendees listen as Juror Tera Shultz gives justification of the winners she selected in the exhibit.

The following are corporate prize sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goldston, Landmark Bank,  City State Bank,  McDonald’s Restaurant, Union State Bank, H & R Block, H & H Realty, Fort Scott Broadcasting, Bernita Hill, Ward Kraft. The best of show prize is awarded in honor of E. C. Gordon.

Juror Tera Schultz is the fine arts instructor at Allen County Community College, Iola.

 

Fort Scott

Meals On Wheels, A Collaboration

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Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.

Meals on Wheels in Bourbon County delivers a lunch to 45 households Monday through Thursday.

The service is for people 60 years and older.

“There are no income guidelines,” Jackie Sellers, site manager of Bourbon County Senior Citizens, said. “There is a suggested donation of $1 per meal.”

There are two driving routes that take approximately 45 minutes to deliver the meals.

Each Wednesday a frozen meal is delivered with the hot meal, which can be consumed on Friday.

At 9:30 a.m. each Meals on Wheels day, volunteers gather to divide and pack up the meals that are supplied through the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburg. The meals are then delivered in a local vehicle.

Snowy or icy weather can prevent the van full of food from Pittsburg to arrive, Sellers said.

“People have to watch on TV for cancellations,” Sellers said. “It’s referred to as Senior Meals.”

Deb Needleman, treasurer of the Bourbon County Senior Citizens said the United Way of Bourbon County grant money received goes to the Meals on Wheels part of the Bourbon County Senior Citizens budget.

“The expense of meal preparation is $30,000,” Needleman said. The United Way funds 30 percent of our budget for Meals on Wheels.”

The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging provides oversight for Meals on Wheels, Sellers said.

The  SEKAAA Executive Director is Cindy Lane, who can be reached at 620-431-2980.

Mary Ada, Priscilla Sellers, and Ackland Milton prepare the meals to be delivered to 45 area residents over 60 years old.
Jacquline Sellers, the site manager at Bourbon County Senior Citizens center, places a quart of milk in a cooler to deliver with Meals on Wheels lunches.

 

Tri-Valley Developmental Services workers Kylee Thomas and Karesa Sworde transport TVDS clients Greg McGee and Chris Hutchison to help out on the delivery of Meals on Wheels lunches.

 

Area News, Government

Legislators Answer Questions

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From left: Kansas District 12 State Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R), and District 4, Representative Trevor Jacobs (R) listen as District 12 State Senator Caryn Tyson (R) gives remarks at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coffee. At right is event moderator Mark McCoy. Not pictured is District 2 Representative Adam Lusker (D), who was late to the event.

Legislators gave answers to questions posed to them at Mercy Hospital’s Catherine Cafe Saturday morning during a legislative coffee sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

Senator Richard Hilderbrand, Representative Trevor Jacobs, Representative Adam Lusker and Senator Caryn Tyson sat as a panel and received questions from the moderator,Chamber Member Mark McCoy and also questions from the audience.

Richard Hilderbrand is the Kansas District 13 Senator from Galena. He can be reached at 785-296-7370 or [email protected].

State Senator Richard Hilderbrand converses with the audience following the legislative coffee Saturday.

The following are excerpts from Hilderbrand’s answers to questions posed to the legislators on current issues.

On education, Senator Hilderbrand clarified in a later interview ” My position on restoring Higher Ed. funding is we need to prioritize all of our commitments that have been cut, and not to add any other new items to fund. We need to work on restoring cuts before adding anything new.”

Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age:  “Absolutely not.”

School safety:  “It’s a heart issue, no law will fix hate.”

Community college funding:  “I haven’t heard anything at the state level.”

Poultry operations: “There were no existing statutes, so this puts some in place for rights….and kept local control.”

KanCare: “When they budgeted it was only for the initial cost….not maintaining…now they have to come back and raise fees.”

Convention of states: “I would not support that.”

Transportation: “For 2019, the finishing of Fort Scott to Pittsburg Highway 69 seems to be the mood.”

Parting remarks: “It’s important to have this interaction with constituents. If there are any issues, contact us.”

Trevor Jacobs is the District 4 Representative from Fort Scott. He can be reached at 785-296-7616 or [email protected].

State Representative Trevor Jacobs listens to constituents following the legislative coffee Saturday morning at Mercy Hospital.

The following are excerpts from Jacobs answers to questions posed to the legislators.

Education funding: “No more expansion of higher education.”

Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “I would not.”

School safety:  “One of the 10 Commandments is ‘Thou shalt not kill’.  We need to address the root of the problem. We need a revolution of family and education.”

Property tax: “I’m not into raising taxes.”

Marijuana decriminalization: “I’m not in favor..we have enough problems.”

Convention of states: No

Transportation:  (Rep. Jacobs in a later interview stated)”I am on the House Transportation Committee. I was never told any date, it doesn’t look like Hwy. 69 is budgeted.”

Parting remarks: “I was able to introduce a Choose Life (car) license plate. Lord willing, they will pass, to show life is valuable.”

Rep. Adam Lusker speaks with a constituent following the legislative coffee Saturday morning.

District 2  Representative Adam Lusker (D) resides in Frontenac and can be reached at 785-296-7698 or [email protected].

The following are excerpts from Luskers’s answers to questions posed to the legislators.

Lusker was late to the coffee event, therefore did not answer some of the questions, explaining he misunderstood the begin time.

KanCare: “KanCare is problematic.”

DCF: “Deals with tough situations.”

Marijuana decriminalization:  “There is no legislation on either side for recreational marijuana. CDB oil passed for epilepsy but never came to fruition. We are a long way from legalizing in Kansas.”

Convention of states: “I would be opposed to a convention of states.”

Transportation: “Highway 69 in late 2019 will be completed. There is a $50-55 million budget. It will be on the front burner of the next transportation incentives for Bourbon County.

Parting remarks:”It’s a pleasure to serve you. I don’t align with these individuals (legislative colleagues)  on a lot of issues, but they are very good people. We work together for the best of Kansas.”

Senator Caryn Tyson listens to a constituent following the legislative coffee sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.

Senator Caryn Tyson (R) represents Kansas District 4. She resides in Parker and can be reached at 785-296-6838 or [email protected].

Tyson said she is also running for U.S. Congress to replace Lynn Jenkins, who is retiring.

The following are excerpts from Tyson’s answers following questions posed to the legislators.

Education: “Over 60 percent of the state budget goes to k-12 and higher education…We have obligations for education but have other obligations. Schools can we do it better, can we do it smarter? We need to ask, is it a need or want.”

Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “I would not vote to support that bill.”

School safety: “The hall talk is teachers to take training.”

Community college funding: “We have demonstrated our priority…60 percent of our budget is in education.”

Poultry operations: “The whole community should have input on their coming in.”

KanCare: “The legislature did not decide on that, the administration did. KanCare was pushed into the State of Kansas without legislation. We have to make sure our contracts are understood.”

DCF: “There are a lot of problems. (However) We have a new secretary.”

Marijuana decriminalization: “The issue is dosage control. There is no way to control. Kansas has lessened the laws for marijuana.

Convention of states: “It (the U.S. Constitution) is not a perfect document. Women wouldn’t be able to vote without constitutional amendments.”

Transportation: “Highway 69 will be completed.”

Parting remarks: “We are a citizen legislature. When we make decisions we need to know who we are impacting.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

Aggie Day at FSCC April 6

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Arnold Arena

The Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Department will host the 42nd annual Aggie Day on Friday, April 6. Approximately 1,400 students representing more than 100 schools will compete in the contest.

“We look forward to hosting Aggie Day each year,” said Ryan Edgecomb, FSCC Agriculture Instructor. “We are anticipating another large event, which will draw schools and 4-H clubs from across the Four States.”

Students will compete in a variety of areas, including agronomy, entomology, farm management, floriculture, food science, livestock, meat evaluation, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, speech, and veterinary science.

Sponsored by Purina and Purina Mills Honor Show Chow, this event is the longest running interscholastic competition in the region. “We are honored to have Purina and Honor Show Chow back as our sponsors for a third straight year, and we’re grateful for their support,” said Edgecomb.

Teams should pre-register online at http://www.fortscott.edu/aggieday/registration before Friday, March 30. Registration for the event will begin at 7:00 am on April 6 at Arnold Arena, 2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, Kan. For more information, please call Ryan Edgecomb at 620-223-2700, ext. 3280.

Area News, Government, Submitted

Kansas District 13 Senator Richard Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter

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State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

March 2, 2018 ∙ Week Eight

Quote of the Week:
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand;

the spines of others are often stiffened.”

– Billy Graham

HARD FACTS:

PRESENATION ON K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING:

On Friday February 23rd, Dr. Lori L. Taylor gave a preliminary presentation to a joint session of the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives on the methods, data, and analysis plan for her research on K-12 education funding in Kansas.

Dr. Taylor was hired by the Legislature in December to act as an expert witness and to investigate whether Kansas’ K-12 funding is adequate. This comes after the Kansas Supreme Court declared the current funding level is not enough and gave the legislature an April 30th deadline to create a new funding system.

Taylor, a native Kansan, holds a BA in economics and a BS in business administration from the University of Kansas and received her PhD in economics from the University of Rochester.

She is currently a professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and works as the Director for Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy. Taylor’s research is focused in school finance and she has consulted for numerous state legislatures and state and federal agencies on the topic.

During Friday’s presentation, Taylor outlined her study’s objective to estimate the level of spending required to produce a given outcome within a given educational environment. Taylor explained that she is looking at many different factors of school finance such as differences in spending, student outcomes, student needs, labor costs, geographical differences, and many other variables. One major variable Taylor will investigate in her research is student achievement relative to spending per pupil.

Taylor is expected to deliver her results to the Legislature by March 15th, a few weeks before the court mandated deadline.

I had the opportunity to attend the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce First Friday Legislative update on March 2nd, at the Kansas Crossing Casino, and on Saturday March 3rd, I had the opportunity to attend the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

TASK FORCE ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

On Thursday, Governor Jeff Colyer issued an executive order creating a task force addressing substance use disorder. The objective of the task force is to gather information regarding substance abuse in Kansas, particularly regarding the growing number of opioid and heroin overdoses in the state along with methamphetamine addiction. The task force will work to find useful resources and initiatives to fight drug abuse. It will also examine practices for prevention and treatment along with recovery options for at-risk individuals through early detection and education.

Since 2012, more than 1,500 Kansans have died from opioid or heroin overdoses and more than 100 Kansas residents continue to die each year. In 2016, drug poisoning was the cause of death to more than 300 people in Kansas, with 95 deaths caused by methamphetamine alone. The task force acknowledges that substance abuse is an illness which not only impacts the lives of those addicted but also their families and surrounding communities.

The task force will be chaired by Dr. Greg Lakin, Chief Medical Officer at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Membership will be comprised of heads from numerous state agencies, legislators, and professionals in industries such as education, law enforcement, hospitals, and more.

AVIATION DAY:

The Kansas Department of Transportation Division of Aviation along with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE) held their 4th annual Aviation Day event Thursday.

The day began with an economic development training event for city officials on how to best harness state and local resources to boost the aviation industry. During the Aviation Day event, legislators, manufacturers, suppliers, and aviation organizations gathered to discuss industry growth and opportunities and addressed development potentials for Kansas economic stakeholders.

The Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education highlighted industry development opportunities throughout the day, spreading awareness regarding STEM and aviation education through KCAE.

NEXT WEEK:

Monday-

    • Consideration of agency budget: Department of Education – [Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, March 5 at 11:30 am]
    • Presentation on: High Enrollment Weighting: KSDE, Dale Dennis, Deputy Commissioner, Legislative Research Department & Revisor of Statutes – [Senate Education Committee, March 5 at 1:30 pm]

Tuesday-

  • Hearing on: HB 2511, Making commercial driver’s licenses renewable every five years – [Senate Transportation Committee, March 6 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 400, tax lid exemption when taxing entity abolished and duties assumed by a city or county – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 6 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2088, allow use of certified drug abuse treatment program for drug severity level 4 crimes – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 6 at 10:30 am]
  • Presentation on: FutureMaker Mobile STEM Lab – update on Hands on Experience – [Senate Education Committee, March 6 at 1:30 pm]

Wednesday-

  • Hearing on: HB 2486, allowing golf carts to be driven on certain streets at night – [Senate Transportation Committee, March 7 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 415, depositing all state sales tax revenues from sales on the Kansas state fairgrounds into the state fair capital improvements fund – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2501, establishing the health occupations credentialing fee fund – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2600, increasing the fees assessed by KDHE for certain radiation protection services – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2458, adding violations of the act for obtaining a guardian or conservator, or both, to the crimes of mistreatment of a dependent adult and mistreatment of an elder person, changing the felony loss thresholds and adding the crimes to the inherently dangerous felony list – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2479, allowing criminal cases to be stayed during state appeal of writ of habeas corpus relief – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing on SB 378, creating the crime of counterfeiting currency – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
  • Discussion on: Joint Senate Select Committee on Education Finance & House K-12 Education Budget Committee- Dr. Jesse Levin, Peer Review of the LPA and Augenblick Studies (Skype Presentation) – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance and House K-12 Education Budget Committee, March 7 at 1:00 pm]

Thursday-

  • Hearing on: SB 367, sales taxation; treatment of coupons; certain cash rebates on sales or leases of new motor vehicles – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 8 at 9:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment – KBOR, Dr. Blake Flanders, President & CEO – [Senate Education Committee, March 8 at 1:30 pm]

Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:

Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.

YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.

Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Middle School Technology Class Tour

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Fort Scott Middle School Technology Teacher Adam Feagins explains the three-dimensional printer to an attendee of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.

Learning is hands-on in Mr. Feagins technology classes.

Attendees of the weekly coffee coordinated by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce took a tour of the career technology education class Thursday.

Adam Feagins is the instructor of the classes: Intro to technology,
Pre-Engineering, 6th Grade Technology, 7th Grade technology, and
8th Grade Technology.

USD 234 Curriculum Director Nicki Traul  told the Chamber attendees that Feagins classes are popular among students.

“The goal is to teach the students basic technology concepts,” Feagins said in a later interview.  “Once they learn the concepts they have to use the knowledge in some type of project.”

The following photos are some of the students working on projects in the classroom.

Eighth-grade students Ashlynn Bagnall and Shawn Barrager press a vinyl pattern piece on a t-shirt in Feagins technology class Thursday.
Eighth-grade students Grant Feagins, left, and Bobby Kemmerer, right explain their rolling robot project to Fort Scott Chamber Member John Hill during the tour of the classroom Thursday morning. They are timing how fast the robot can go.
Eighth-grade students Amanda Emmerson and Kerragan Davis paint a background as part of their Rube Goldberg Project. A marble will start at one point and set in motion a domino effect with the end result watering of a live plant.
Teachers in USD 234 School have a poster of their education process posted near their classroom door. This is Adam Feagins.
Fort Scott, Schools

Middle School Flex Room Has Many Benefits

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Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert welcomes guests of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee to the school Thursday morning.

Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee social Thursday at the school.

An important purpose of the building is safety during tornados.

“We can fit 650 people in this space,” Weilert said. “We can get the student body in here in four minutes.”

The building was constructed of concrete with minimal windows for student safety.

But the school uses what is referred to as “flex space”, for other purposes, Weilert said. “There is a community space, an art gallery, and breakout rooms.”

The brightly painted and colorfully decorated large building can be divided easily for different purposes. It is located on the south side of the school

“This space encourages creativity and it’s good to get out of class once in a while, to change environments,” Weilert said.

The newly constructed space was added to the school in 2017 as part of a district-wide building improvement project.

USD 234 Business Manager Gina Shelton shows the community room that is available for organizations in the community to use. The room is located in the high wind building, completed in 2017 and has innovative technology.

Pictured below are members of the community who congregated in small groups before the announcement segment of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee.

During the coffee event, members can tell about upcoming community events or organizations for a $1 donation, which goes to fund the town trolley car.

At the conclusion of the weekly coffee, the host organization/business/school/church gets a platform to tell about the events or projects that are currently happening.

This is the dedication plaque that was placed in the community room of the new high wind building, completed in 2017.
Area News, Submitted

DCF Promotes Need for More Social Workers

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Governor Jeff Colyer signs a proclamation designating March as Social Work Month. Those in attendance from left to right: Steven Greene II, DCF Legislative and Policy Director; Levi Jenkins, DCF Child Protection Specialist; Ann Goodall, DCF Child Protection Specialist; Governor Colyer, State of Kansas; Rachel Marsh, Saint Francis Community Services (SFCS) Executive Director of Government and Community Relations; DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel; Patricia Long, DCF Director of Prevention and Protection Services.

Governor Jeff Colyer signs proclamation declaring March Social Work Month

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) social workers are often one of the first lines of defense against abuse and neglect for children and vulnerable adults. They work in collaboration with law enforcement, the courts, contractors, families and others to ensure the safety and well-being of those who cannot protect themselves. Due to the high demands of the job, Kansas, like other states across the nations, is experiencing a shortage of social workers.

To call attention to this need, today, Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel and DCF staff joined Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., as he designated March as Social Work Month at the State Capitol Building, Topeka.

“Social workers perform an essential duty for Kansas families, and I am happy to recognize their dedication in a field that is so challenging,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “Recruiting and retaining social workers is difficult, so I fully support the efforts of DCF to incentivize social workers to consider State service.”

DCF, along with its contracted providers, employ more than 1,000 social workers statewide. DCF has taken the following steps to attract social workers.

    • Increased the starting salary for social workers to $40,000, and supervisors to $44,000
    • Increased DCF attendance at career fairs, including out-of-state
    • Started posting open positions on Handshake, Indeed and DCF’s Facebook page
    • Worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to recruit
    • Partnered with a headhunter organization to fill positions
    • Started accepting social workers on a part-time basis and as temporary positions. (These part-time social worker positions have increased dramatically since 2010.)
    • Increased the number of social work practicum students we take per region.
    • Hosted on-site career fairs at our DCF service centers.

“We should recognize and support our social workers, because their work is tough and essential,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel, a social worker. “I have the upmost respect for those who come to work each day with the goal of changing and saving lives.”

DCF Social Worker Ann Goodall, Topeka, discusses the challenges and rewards of her job.

“People don’t really understand the day in, day out duties because our work is so confidential. We protect families from harm, but we also protect their privacy,” Goodall said. “I’ve been a social worker in child welfare for 20 years, it is my passion. Getting to be one-one-one with children, talking with them about their lives, it makes a difference, and it is what I love doing.”

To become a social worker, individuals must graduate from an accredited university with at least a bachelor’s degree in social welfare. They must also pass a licensure exam and maintain the license with 40 hours of continuing education, every two years.

DCF is always looking for people who have a heart for serving vulnerable adults and children in Kansas. To learn more about becoming a social worker, and to view available positions, visit www.jobs.ks.gov.