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Government, Kansas

$115 MILLION IN MISSED KPERS PAYMENTS

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KANSAS SENATOR RICHARD HILDERBRAND COSPONSORS SB 9

TO REPAY $115 MILLION IN MISSED KPERS PAYMENTS

GALENA- Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) co-sponsors SB 9 to repay $115 million in missed KPERS payments.

“When someone goes to work for the state of Kansas, they have no choice but to pay into the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System. When things are tough at home and their budgets are tight, they still have to pay into this program. When things got tough for the state and the budgets did not balance, the state skipped paying into this program.

With the state expected to have an ending budget balance of $900 million at the end of this fiscal year, due in part to a $115 million missed KPERS payment. It is time for the state of Kansas to be fiscally responsible and repay our debts, especially when it comes to our hard working employees.

That is why I am proud to co-sponsor SB 9, that was pre-filed yesterday to repay the $115 million payment that was skipped in 2018.”

http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/documents/sb9_00_0000.pdf

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Happenings In Fort Scott

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RADIO AUCTION – KOMB All Hit 103.9 FM – Starts Jan. 16 through first week of March, every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Listen for details!
11-12
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
11-12
State Debate Tournament, Classes 4A, 3-2-1A, to be held at Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main St.
For more info, contact Amber Toth or Angela Curran at FSHS: 620-223-0600
11
Eat Smart, Live Strong class – Fort Scott Professional Building (formerly Newman Young Clinic), each Friday in January, 10:30am-12:00pm

Enjoy fun and lively activities with other older adults! Talk about easy ways to make smart food choices and exercise more

Contact Malynda Payne, K-State Research and Extension Nutrition Assistant, [email protected], or call (620)768-9459 for more information
12
Winter Biker Meet & Greet Expo – Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 S. National Ave., Fort Scott

Come out and meet new people, promote your club, upcoming rides, biker business. Enjoy good tunes and ice cold micro brewed local beer. Meet and greet on the 2nd Saturday of each month through March
12
Storytime and special activity with author Cathy Werling – Hedgehog.INK, 16 S. Main St., 10:30am

Cathy Werling is an award winning teacher who inspires children to make a difference in the lives of others. Her books can be ordered at: www.lowellmilkencenter.org or by calling
620-223-1312
14 USD 234 Board of Education Meeting – Board of Education, 424 S. Main St., 5:30 pm
15-16
Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,                        201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
15 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm (Hedges Administrative Building)
15 Community Bingo at Country Place Senior Living, 820 S. Horton St., 2pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month

Residents and the public are invited
15
Soybean School – New class offered by K-State Research and Extension – 25092 Ness Road, Parsons, KS, 3-7pm

Topics include: insect update, crop production, markets, soil fertility, and weed control

Register by Jan. 10th by calling: 620-724-8233, or email [email protected], or go online: http//bit.ly/KSUSoybean

Registration is FREE, and dinner is included
15 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
15 City Commission Meeting – City Hall, 123 S. Main St., 6-7pm
16
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,                   308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
16
Eat Smart, Move More class – Fort Scott Professional Building (formerly Newman Young Clinic), each Wednesday starting Dec. 19th and running until January 16th, 2019, 12:30-2:00pm

Learn skills and strategies to feed your family nutritious meals on a limited budget and improve your overall health. Learn how to change behaviors that place you at risk for becoming overweight, and the diseases associated with being overweight. There will be delicious recipes to sample and gifts at the end of the program. FREE

Contact Malynda Payne, K-State Research and Extendion Nutrition Assistant at:  [email protected]
16
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
16
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month. Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
17
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by USD 234

Location: Fort Scott High School, 1005 S. Main St.
17
Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm
17
Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm. Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
18-19
Weekly Livestock Sale at Fort Scott Livestock Market. Starting at 10am on both Fridays & Saturdays
Fridays:  Cows, Pairs, Big Bulls
Saturdays:  Stocker & Feeder Cattle, followed by any cows & bulls that come in late Friday & Saturday. Cafe open both sale days. You don’t have to be a buyer, just to come watch the sale and visit the cafe!
18
Eat Smart, Live Strong class – Fort Scott Professional Building (formerly Newman Young Clinic), each Friday in January, 10:30am-12:00pm

Enjoy fun and lively activities with other older adults! Talk about easy ways to make smart food choices and exercise more

Contact Malynda Payne, K-State Research and Extension Nutrition Assistant, [email protected], or call (620)768-9459 for more information
18 Friendship Soup Lunch hosted by First United Methodist Church – Fellowship Hall, 301 S. National, lower level, 11:30am-1pm

Chili, a variety of soups, desserts, and a drink will be served for a free will donation. All are welcome!
19 4th Annual Care to Share Pool Tournament at Holmtown Pub – 206 N. National Ave., Fort Scott

Jack and Jill Scottish doubles. Double elimination, race to 3 on the winners’ side, race to 2 on the losers’ side. 16 team limit. Register at the pub. $40 pre-registration. Player auction will begin at 11am, with play to begin immediately after
19 Artist of the Month, Al Letner of Chicopee Pottery, will be at Hedgehog.INK, 16 S. Main St., 3pm

Mr. Letner will give a presentation and share techniques
21 Community Book Club meeting – location to be determined, 7pm

Book: Where The Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. E-mail [email protected] for more info
22-23 Story Time – Fort Scott Public Library,                        201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
22 T.O.P.S Meeting – Buck Run Community Center,
3-4pm
22 Fort Scott Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm (Hedges Administrative Building)
22 Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s, 10 N. Main St., 12pm-1pm
23 Breakfast Bingo at BRCC – 735 Scott Ave., 9-10am, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month

Come drink some coffee and play some bingo at Buck Run. Staff will provide bingo cards, the caller, and the coffee. Prizes provided by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
23 Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church,                   308 S. Crawford St., 12-1pm
23
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 2-4pm

Join us in the library events room for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and conversation. Library provides coloring pages, pens and pencils, and snacks. Bring your own beverage of choice (no alcohol, please)
23
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4-5pm

Exclusively for middle and high school students. We have meetings weekly, including a games & snack night, a community service project, a book club meeting, and a craft night each month. Make a difference in your community while having fun at TAG! Each meeting includes food, drinks, and a good time with your fellow teens. Bring your friends!
24
Join us for the weekly Chamber Coffee of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 8am. This week’s Chamber Coffee will be hosted by Sharky’s Pub & Grub

Location: 16 N. National Ave.
24
Pioneer Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12pm
24 Thursday Card Players – Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., 6-9pm. Free weekly event to anyone that wants to play cards, drink coffee, eat snacks, and socialize
Save the Date:
– January 31 – Navigate Your Cellphone/Tablet for Seniors
– February 2 – Youth Basketball Tournament
– February 3 – Superbowl Sunday
– February 10 – 3rd Annual Farm Toy Show & Sales
Click here for full events listing on our website.
Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda Jan. 15

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The Fort Scott City Commission meets every other Tuesday. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on Jan. 15 at City Hall.

This is the agenda of the meeting.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Norman Tillotson, First Baptist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 18th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1230-A totaling $581,238.41.

  1. Resolution 1-2019 designating the official City newspaper.

  1. Resolution 2-2019 designating the official City depositories for public funds

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 7 South National Avenue and 6 East Wall

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 10-12 East Wall Street

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 124 E. Wall Street

  1. Resolution 3-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1612 E. Oak – Public Hearing Date – 3/5/2019 at 6:15 p.m.

VI. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I. REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY DELEGATE

    1. Election of Mayor – Swearing in of new Mayor
    2. Election of Commission President

    3. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc. Representative

    4. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Mark McCoy – Discussion on Visioning Committee

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Airport Electric Vault Upgrade – Rachel and Seth
  1. Consideration to Solicit Bids – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (16) – Dave Bruner

IV. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Deb Needleman – KCAMP

Rachel Pruitt – Price Chopper Incentives

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:

      1. Health Care Update

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

IV. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Entertainment, Fort Scott

The Prairie Troubadour Feb. 22-23

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The Troubadour is ready to croon!  Program details and registration now available for our 4th annual Symposium.

Restore your weary soul with a much-needed weekend of mirth and friendship during the doldrums of the year.At a glance:

  • Dates are Feb. 22nd (evening) & 23rd (full day), 2019
  • This year’s theme is Reason for Faith: Reflections on Particles and the Paraclete.  Discussions will range from evolution and the New Atheists to the role of science in education and the work of Fr. Stanley Jaki.
  • Dale Ahlquist, David Whalen, Stacy Trasancos, William Fahey and Kevin O’Brien fill-out yet another all-star cast of presenters.
  • A slightly less frenetic schedule this year allowing for more time to catch up with friends and browse 8th Day Books’ magnificent mobile bookstore.
  • A great opportunity to get to know the students, faculty and growing community of Saint Martin’s Academy with an update on our inaugural year.
Click here for full details and to register.
NOTE: EARLY BIRD pricing runs through February 10th only.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Kansas Day Promotion

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The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Invites You to Celebrate the 158th Anniversary of Kansas Day on Tuesday,
January 29th, 2019!
EARN 10% DISCOUNT AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS – WEAR THE WORD “KANSAS” OR A SUNFLOWER ON KANSAS DAY!
Kansas entered the Union as the 34th state on January 29th in 1861. On this 158th anniversary of Kansas Day, the Fort Scott Area Chamber would like to promote both our state’s history as well as local businesses.
Any person shopping a participating Chamber member retailer on Tuesday, January 29th, wearing a sunflower or the word “Kansas” anywhere on their apparel will receive 10% off of their purchase. Participating businesses will have a sunflower placed in the front of their store.
If you are a Fort Scott business owner, and would like to participate, please click here to print the flyer displayed below and hang it in your window for shoppers to see. If you need the Chamber to print one out for you, please let us know by calling Administrative Assistant Monica Walden at: 620-223-3566.
Celebrate Kansas Day and thank a local owner for doing business in our wonderful state!

Obituary

Obituary of Will Eugene Cook

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Will Eugene Cook, age 79, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at the Medicalodge of Ft. Scott.

He was born July 5, 1938, in Ft. Scott, the son of Dee Cook and Clara Ellen Proctor Cook.

Will had worked at various business throughout his life. In earlier years, he had worked as a custodian for St. Mary’s School and also worked for the Chevrolet dealership in Ft. Scott. Later, he worked for several years at Extrusions. He then helped out at Love’s Sanitation and Ft. Scott Burial Vault Company.

He attended the Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene. Will enjoyed tending the flowers in his yard.

Survivors include three brothers, Charles Cook, of Stover, Missouri, Dallas Cook, Joplin, Missouri and Dave Cook of Webb City, Missouri and a sister, Eva Marie Foster, of Norman, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 15th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Area News, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

Gordman’s Job Fair-Fort Scott: Feb. 19

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Apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans, a division of Stage Stores, is coming to Fort Scott and surrounding regions this March.

 

Gordmans is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions and encourages interested candidates to apply online at gordmans.com and then attend the job fair at the following new location:

 

Fort Scott Gordmans

Tuesday, Feb. 19
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2400 S. Main Street
Fort Scott, Kansas         

 

Pittsburg Gordmans
Thursday, Feb. 7
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
202 E. Centennial Drive
Pittsburg, Kansas         

 

Carthage Gordmans

Wednesday, Feb. 20
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.       

2410 S Grand Avenue
Carthage, Missouri     

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Kansas Eco Devo Up in 2018

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Kansas Department of Commerce Releases Economic Development Statistics for 2018

Topeka, Kan. – Kansas has had much to celebrate in the area of economic development during 2018, according to statistics released today from the Kansas Department of Commerce. 2018 has been an exceptional year for the Kansas economy, with over 11,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment added to the state’s economy.

The Department of Commerce reports it participated in 138 successful economic development projects across the state during 2018, yielding 11,548 new jobs and 9,116 retained jobs. The total capital investment on these projects was $1.7 billion and $1.17 billion in payroll.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished with the economy during my time in office,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “Unemployment is at record lows, we have more people working than ever before, and job creation is on the rise. Kansas has a brighter future because of the hard work done by so many over the past year.”

 

Of the 138 successful projects in 2018, the following are among the largest:

o    GEICO announced a new service center in Lenexa, with a $9,800,456 capital investment and 500 new jobs.

o    Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing facility in Abilene, with a $10,841,000 capital investment and 200 new jobs.

o    Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is expanding its pharmaceutical plant in McPherson with a $156,000,000 capital investment and 325 jobs added.

o    New Directions Behavioral Health announced it will move its headquarters to the Sprint campus in Overland Park with a $15,500,000 capital investment and 566 jobs added.

o    Orizon Aerostructures, LLC announced it would relocate a manufacturing operation to Olathe, with a $127,285,001 capital investment and 400 new jobs.

o    Palmer Manufacturing & Tank, Inc. announced a $16,642,000 capital investment in its Garden City plant, adding 201 jobs.

o    Shamrock Trading Corporation will build an office tower in Overland Park with a $248,000,000 capital investment and the company will add 1,500 jobs.

o    Spirit Aerosystems announced another major expansion, with plans for adding 1,400 new jobs.

 

“This has been an extraordinary year for economic development in Kansas,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “The businesses that have made the wise choice to open or expand in the state of Kansas are making substantial contributions to the health of our economy and overall quality of life.”

 

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Thespians Qualify for International Thespian Festival

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Fort Scott Thespians. Submitted photo. Front row L to R: Mesa Jones, Hunter Adamson, Karina Kantilal, Mary Gladbach, Alyx Brooks 2nd row: Taillyn Harding, Sierra Long, Amber Russo, Mersadie Roof, Christina King, Alexis Williams, Jasamine Thron, Mackenzie Peoples 3rd row: Brian Stumfoll, Lexy Bailey, Brandy Stafford, Avery Dorsey, Daniel Belcuore, Zaria Byrd, Christina Ramirez, Harmony Brown, Angie Bin, Wyntter Snyder 4th row: Mark Bergmann, Levi Bin, Abi Deloera, Jacob Ham, Dominic Cannon, Jo Goodbody, Olivia Wilterding 5th row: Kathelra Murray, Jade Bailey, Carlee Studyvin, Addy Labbe, Ashanti Green, Sage Hill, Mason Moore, Wendy Monahan

The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 has students performing at the International Thespian Festival for the first time in history. After attending the KS State Thespian Festival in Wichita on Jan. 3-5, the troupe brought home a number of significant awards.

Senior Hunter Adamson qualified for Nationals in Monologue (where she performed both a humorous and dramatic script selection) and junior Mesa Jones qualified for Nationals in Musical Solo (performing Breathe from “Into the Heights”). Jones will also perform in the all-state musical production of “Bring It On” that qualified to be showcased on the main stage at Nationals. They compete at the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in June.

2018 State Thespian Officer Hunter Adamson and 2019 State Thespian Officer Mesa Jones

FSHS also won the Gold Honor Troupe Award (the highest troupe honor) through the presentation of the Honor Troupe Notebook by senior Karina Kantilal. Senior Alyx Brooks auditioned for colleges and received call-backs from eleven schools for her acting audition and from twenty-eight different schools for her lighting design audition.

Hunter Adamson, Mesa Jones, Karina Kantilal, Mary Gladbach, and Alyx Brooks; FSHS Thespians Officers with the Gold Honor Troupe trophy.

The FSHS Thespian President, Adamson, also served as a State Thespian Officer, planning and leading the entire Festival. Jones served as a State Board Member this year and was elected by troupe directors from all over the state to lead as one of 5 officers in charge of next year’s State Thespian Festival. She will attend training at the International Thespian Festival this summer and work throughout the next year to plan. 

Also competing at the State Festival this year were juniors Mackenzie Peoples and Addy Labbe in Musical Solo, Brooks in Lighting Design, and sophomores Amber Russo and Ivy Bailey in the Monologue category.

In all, thirty-five students attended Festival from FSHS and competed in improvised acting, charades, or costuming events at night. Throughout the day, the students attended workshops, met with college representatives, and watched award-winning full-length and one-act performances.

FSHS Drama Director Angie Bin, English teacher Mark Bergmann, and Drama Student-Teacher Wynnter Snyder accompanied the students. Bin presented a workshop on Children’s Theatre as part of the Festival.