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Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

Tiger Swimmers Earn Firsts

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Tuesday night the Fort Scott High School boy swimmers competed in Coffeyville.
Tiger swimmers are living life in the fast lane.
  Bobby Kemmerer took 1st in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle with state consideration times in both.
Oliver Witt took 1st in the 100-yard butterfly and 2nd in the 200 yard free where he also earned a state consideration time.
  Both swimmers recorded personal best times dropping more than 8 seconds combined in their individual races.
The boys also placed 2nd in the 400-yard freestyle relay with team members Brett Baldwin and Jeremy Pousher.
With each meet, FSHS swimmers are inching closer to the ultimate goal of a state-qualifying time.  Their next opportunity will be Thursday in Parsons.

Submitted by Angie Kemmerer
Fort Scott, Government

City Commission Meets Sat. Feb.8

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Lauber Municipal Law will be holding a City Officials Training Seminar on Saturday, February 8th, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The seminar will be held in the City Commission meeting room. The City Commission has been invited and a majority of the City Commission may attend, although this is not a formal meeting of the Commission, nor will binding action be taken. This gathering may be subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act and thus it is considered an open meeting.

The seminar’s agenda includes topics in Kansas Local Government law.

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Ribbon Cutting Following Chamber Coffee Feb. 13 For Visage Skin Care Spa

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February 13th, Chamber Coffee & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that the weekly Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Visage Skin Care & Spa Thursday, February 13th at 8 a.m. Please meet at the new location at 5 E. Wall St., Fort Scott. Immediately following the Chamber Coffee a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

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 business or organization hosting the Coffee. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

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Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at Domino’s Pizza Feb. 6

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The Chamber Coffee will be hosted by
Domino’s Pizza
February 6th at 8 am!
2 Jersey St., Fort Scott
Chamber Members & Guests are
welcome to attend and pay $1 to make any announcement about their business or organization including events, new products, promotions and more!
Upcoming Chamber Coffee Schedule:
* Visage Skin Care Spa &Ribbon cutting2/13
* Ascension Via Christi 2/20
* Fort Scott Community College – 2/27
* Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Arts Exhibit – 3/5
* Tri-Valley of Fort Scott – 3/12
* Briggs Auto Fort Scott – 3/19
* Smallville CrossFit- 3/26
Fort Scott National Historic Site

Great Backyard Bird Count at Fort Scott NHS this Month 

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Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site will host a free guided bird walk Monday, February 17, from 7 to 9 am and 1 to 3 pm, for the Great Backyard Bird Count.

A National Park Service Ranger will lead two easy, one-mile, two-hour birdwatching walks starting from the Visitor Center. Rangers and participants will record all bird sightings and upload the data to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This walk is for birders of all skill levels and you don’t have to stay for the entire program to make a difference. Birders are encouraged to bring binoculars and layered clothing.

Since 1998, “The Backyard Bird Count has been an opportunity for citizen scientists around the world to contribute to the understanding of wild birds, their environment, and numbers,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to join us each month for additional bird walks and programs.” Watch for scheduled bird walks in the park throughout the year on Facebook or at the Fort Scott NHS Website www.nps.gov/fosc.

For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count, contact Ranger Abby at Fort Scott National Historic Site by calling 620-223-0310.

Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, more than 160,000 participants submitted their bird observations online, creating the largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded. The results of these bird counts are available at https://gbbc.birdcount.org.

Government, Kansas

Senator Richard Hilderbrand Newsletter

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January 31, 2020 ∙ Week Three
HARD FACTS
Medicaid Expansion
·      Expanding Medicaid would cause approximately 55,000 Kansans who currently purchase their own insurance through the private market to be automatically shifted to Medicaid according to the Kansas Health Institute.
·      Total net costs to the state for FY2021 are estimated (by the Kansas Health Institute) to be $15.3 million for newly eligible adults, $14.1 million for currently eligible, newly enrolled adults, and $34.4 million for newly enrolled children.
Property Tax Facts:
·      According to the Kansas Department of Revenue property taxes in Kansas increased 164% from 1997 to 2018. The rate of inflation during that time period was only 49.5%.
·       Property tax collections have risen by more than $1 billion over the past decade. Kansans now pay more than $5 billion in property taxes each year, according to a 2019 analysis by WalletHub.
Getting ready to apply for college?
Improving your test scores just got easier with LearningExpress Library, available from the State Library of Kansas. LearningExpress Library is an online resource that includes practice tests and tutorials for PSAT, ACT and SAT as well as AP and essay writing help. There is no charge to use LearningExpress and no limit to the number of times you can take the practice tests. Becoming familiar with and comfortable with the testing format and the types of questions helps to improve test scores. Go to https://kslib.info/LearningExpress click on College Preparation Center.
Easy registration and self-supplied password is necessary and helps you save your practice tests and tutorials. 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 being in Kansas and will not need this step.  Questions: kslc@ks.gov or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION
(SCR 1613) With a vote of 28-12(I voted in favor of this bill), the Kansas Senate Passed the Value Them Both Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court ruling that threatened to destroy all abortion regulation in Kansas.
After four hours of debate and multiple proposed amendments, the Senate approval now leaves the matter to the Kansas House to consider. Debate in the House should take place next week with Representatives Susan Humphries and Susan Concannon carrying the resolution.
The Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment is needed to protect current Kansas abortion regulations such as parental consent, informed consent, the late-term abortion ban, and clinic regulations.
While this constitutional amendment protects life and the safety of Kansas women, it should be argued it also does more. It is about preserving three separate branches of government. The legislative branch was designed to create laws. Legislators are held accountable and elected by voters.  Effectively removing laws voters already approved is an overreach of the judicial branch of government.
A “yes” vote on the ballot for the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment keeps regulations and laws already in place and approved by voters, on the books. Abortion regulation allows us to value both the mother and the child and regulate a health care industry in the same way all other industries are regulated for public safety.
I had the opportunity to show Allyson Wells and her family around the Senate Chamber after she was recognized for being a first place winner in the Kansas Historical Societies Photo Contest.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Monday, February 3 (Last day for individual bill requests)
Ø Hearing: SB 284 — Providing motor vehicle disability placards for school districts and interlocal cooperatives. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 277 — Clarifying the authority of healing arts school clinics to provide healing arts services.(1:30, Education, 144-S)
Tuesday, February 4
Ø Hearing: SB 251 — Allow businesses to elect to file certain business reports with the secretary of state annually, biennially or triennially.(8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 288 — Designating a portion of United States highway 77 as the Cpl. Allen E. Oatney and SP4 Gene A. Myers memorial highway.(8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 248 — Extraterritorial zoning, subdivision regulations; mailed notice to landowners of record. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 312 — Imposing a civil fine for operating a childcare facility without a license.(9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 220 — Licensure of professional occupations allowing certain persons with criminal or civil records that would otherwise disqualify such persons from licensure to receive a license; add state board of education to exempt agencies.
Ø (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 319 — Clarifying that bond agents are required to return certain people released on bond to the court in the county where the bond was issued. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 331 — Authorizing department of corrections employees and local correctional or detention officers to have identifying information restricted from public access on public websites that identify home addresses or home ownership. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 332 — Changing requirements for court orders directing a child to remain in a present or future placement issued for children in need of care.(10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 271 — Repealing the sunset provision for the high-density at-risk weighting. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Wednesday, February 5
Ø Hearing: SB 285 — Extending the existence of the UST redevelopment fund and compensation advisory board to 2032. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 286 — Amending the Kansas storage tank act by increasing the maximum liability of and extending the sunset of the aboveground fund and the underground fund. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 287 — Amending the Kansas storage tank act by extending the expiration of certain reimbursement provisions to 2030 and increasing the underground storage tank replacement reimbursement maximum. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 267 — Clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring secured vehicle loads is a traffic infraction. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 305 — Increasing the bond amount required for a vehicle dealer license. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 294 — Establishing notice and public hearing requirements prior to approval by a governing body to exceed its certified tax rate for property tax purposes. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 299 — Expand the campaign finance act to cover unified school districts having 5,000 or more students and community colleges. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 290 — Updating how the securities commissioner may be appointed and removed.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 291 — Authorizing subpoena and investigative powers for the commissioner of insurance and certain law enforcement powers for insurance investigators in pursuance of insurance fraud violations.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and Action on SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 333 — Modifying criminal procedures relating to a defendant’s competency or incompetency to stand trial.(10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 334 — Modifying certain rules of evidence in the code of civil procedure related to authentication of records and documents.(10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 321 — Amortizing the state and school KPERS unfunded actuarial liability over a 25-year period and authorizing the transfer of $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the KPERS fund during fiscal year 2020 and eliminating certain level-dollar employer contribution payments.(10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Thursday, February 6
Ø Hearing: SB 300 — Prohibiting the sale of unpasteurized milk for human consumption. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 302 — Granting the secretary of revenue the authority to set letters and numerals for license plates and removing the requirement that plates be shipped to the county treasurer.(8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 306 — Exempting motor vehicle odometer reading recording requirements when such recording requirements are exempted by federal law.(8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 295 — Prohibiting property tax valuation increase solely as the result of normal repair, replacement or maintenance of existing structure.(9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing continuation: SB 291 — Authorizing subpoena and investigative powers for the commissioner of insurance and certain law enforcement powers for insurance investigators in pursuance of insurance fraud violations.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 303 — Providing for the fingerprinting of certain employees and contractors of the insurance department who have access to confidential information. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and Action on SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 254 — Concerning requirements of publication of certain documents by the secretary of state; relating to session laws, the Kansas register, proposed amendments to the constitution of the state of Kansas, and Kansas administrative rules and regulations and guidance documents.(10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Friday, February 7 (Pro Forma)
Ø There are no bill hearings scheduled for Friday. Many committees will meet on call of the chair.
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I had the honor of presenting Crawford County Deputy Kurt Grotheer, a Senate Tribute recognizing him for being named the 2019 Kansas Deputy of the Year by the Sheriffs’ Association. Accompanying Deputy Kurt Grotheer; Crawford County Sheriff Danny Smith, Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves, Crawford County Captain Ryan Deal, Crawford County Sgt. Matt Peters, and Crawford County Under Sheriff Scott Tyrell.
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.
Richard Hilderbrand Kansas State Senator District 13 | 1116 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Sent by richard.hilderbrand@senate.ks.gov
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Leap into Science at the Wind Science Tinker Lab

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The Wind Science Tinker Lab will be at Buck Run Community Center onFebruary 24, 4 – 5 p.m.

 Experiment with wind science at the Buck Run Community Center with Miss Val and FSCC education student Courtney Williams, Jennifer Terell from the K-State Extension Office and 4-H, Michelle Stevenson from the Fort Scott Early Childhood Program, Star McClellan from Parents as Teachers, and a SEK-CAP representative.

 

Participants will take part in science activities, listen to a story about wind, reflect on what they’ve learned, and enter to win an Airzooka wind cannon! Each pre-registered parent or educator will also receive a mini science kit packed with wind science experiments and instructions and a free book (while supplies last).

To pre-register, visit this link: https://forms.gle/p8pq7vVCyp7MrfGi9 and fill out the form, or stop by the library to fill out a paper form.

Admission is FREE and refreshments will be served.

This event is made possible in part through a grant from Leap into Science, courtesy of the Franklin Institute.

To learn more about the Leap into Science program, visit http://leap.fi.edu/

Follow the event on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/584053252374595/

Area News

Escaped Resident Taken Into Custody

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Escaped Resident from Parsons State Hospital Treatment Program in Custody

 

PARSONS – The Labette County Sheriff’s office has confirmed to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) that Parsons State Hospital Sexual Predator Treatment Program (SPTP) resident Randy Snodgrass was arrested and taken into custody at 1:30 a.m. this morning in Neosho County near K-47 Highway and Ness Road.

 

Snodgrass, a 58-year-old male, was being transported by a hospital staff member yesterday morning when he escaped.

 

“This morning I want to extend a sincere thank you to local law enforcement officials for their effective efforts to keep the public advised and updated about this situation and their thoroughness in tracking down and taking Mr. Snodgrass into custody,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “I believe their immediate and focused attention was critical to his capture.”

 

Snodgrass is currently being held in Neosho County.

 

Opinion

Obituary of Nina P. Garrett

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Nina Pearl Garrett, age 91, resident of Iola, KS, died Monday, February 3, 2020, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott. She was born October 15, 1928, in Iola, the daughter of Benjamin Harry and Pearl Oka Stotler.

She married Marion Gene Garrett on March 21, 1947, in Yates Center, KS. He preceded her in death in 1993. Nina farmed her entire life. She also worked as bookkeeper for Iola high school. She was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Joyce Nickelson and husband Doug; granddaughter Katy Donovan and husband Dale and their children Garrett Donovan, Alaynah Crawford and husband Josh, and Ayemiah Donovan; grandson Ryan Bo Garrett and wife Andi; grandson Ty Garrett and wife Ashley and their children Decembyr and Alexander Garrett; grandson Patrick Nickelson and wife Krystal and their children Paige and Keira Nickelson; granddaughter Nicole Davis and husband Jason and their children, Kerragan and Nickelson (Nick) Davis; and grandson Aaron Nickelson and wife Shari and their children Aubry, Izzy, Lily, and Havyn Nickelson; and daughter-in-law Linda Garrett.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Wayne Leon Garrett; three brothers, Lawrence, Boyd and Dewey Stotler; and a sister, Leona Wilson.

Pastor Lloyd Houk will conduct services at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 8th, at the Salem United Methodist Church, 805 Missouri Road, Iola, KS.

Private family burial will follow in the Iola Township Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time at the church.

Memorials are suggested to Safe Base – Wayne Garrett Children’s Garden and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of William R. Bowen

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William R. Bowen, age 93, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas and more recently of Spring Hill, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas.

He was born July 20, 1926, in Carthage, Missouri, the son of Earnest R. Bowen and Corda V. Harrill Bowen.

Bill served with the United States Navy during World War II.  Following his military service, he married Marjorie F. Sparks August 3, 1946, at Columbus, Kansas.

Bill and Marjorie later made their home in Ft. Scott where Bill worked as a conductor for the Frisco Railroad for many years.

Bill was a devoted husband to his wife, Marjorie and a faithful father to his three children.  Bill enjoyed spending quality time with his family and had the famous “never met a stranger” mentality.

Bill was an accomplished musician who played a variety of instruments including guitar, saxophone, accordion, steel guitar, piano and harmonica.  He had his own country-western band for several years.

Bill also enjoyed woodworking and painting landscapes and wildlife.  He often shared his creations with his family and friends.

He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene as well as the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Consistory and the Mirza Shrine.

Survivors include his three children, Linda McClanahan, of Paola, Kansas, Billy Bowen and wife, Barbara, of Willard, Missouri and Jim Bowen and wife, Pam, of Alma, Nebraska; eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

His wife, Marjorie, preceded him in death on August 2, 2019.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and his son-in-law, Tom McClanahan.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 8th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital 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.

Bourbon County Local News