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Government, Submitted

Local Author at Library June 18

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Local author, Carol Russell, will read portions from her books “Brianna Meets Lemonade Lucy” and “Brianna Meets Sybil,” which are books two and three in her Back In Time series, in the Fort Scott Public Library event room, June 18, 3 – 4 p.m. She will also be selling and signing copies of her books, including the first in the series, “Brianna Meets Miss Addie.”  Russell’s stories are historical fiction and are geared toward children ages 8-12. All ages are welcome to attend the event.
 
Information from the back covers: 
“Brianna Meets Lemonade Lucy”: Brianna finds herself in the White House in 1878. How can the radio transfer her in time and place? When she is discovered, she is mistaken for hired help. What happens to her in this era? And can she get back to Kansas?
 
“Brianna Meets Sybil”: Brianna is transported back in time. How can the strange radio transfer her? The minute she sets foot in Connecticut in April 1777, she realizes that she is not alone. Will she be able to get both her and another person home? Can she convince Katie to keep their secret?
Kansas, Submitted

Federal Grant to Help Traumatic Brain Injuries

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KDADS Awarded Federal Grant to Expand and Improve TBI Services

 

TOPEKA – The federal Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living has awarded the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) a three-year grant to expand and improve the services the state provides to individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

 

KDADS will use the $150,000-a-year grant to create and strengthen a system of services and supports that maximizes the independence, well-being and health of Kansans with TBI in collaboration with the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City, the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators and other key stakeholders.

 

The objectives of this project are to increase representation of people affected by TBI on Kansas’ TBI Advisory board, develop an annual State TBI Action Plan, develop a TBI Registry, increase enrollment of at least 30 people onto TBI Medicaid waiver, conduct annual seminars and educational events that increase knowledge and build capacity for advocacy, and create a sustainability plan to maintain and expand services in the future.

 

“We expect this project to result in an increased number of individuals with TBI receiving services under the state’s 1915(c) Medicaid waiver for TBI, which currently serves about 425 individuals,” KDADS Secretary Tim Keck said. “Another aim of this project is to educate people experiencing TBI, and the public, about brain injuries and to make them aware of the community resources available to support them.”

 

Kansas’ TBI Medicaid waiver provides a range of services and supports to individuals with TBI and their families with the aim of ensuring that individuals can remain in their homes and be as independent as possible in a safe, healthy environment. The HCBS/TBI program serves individuals who would otherwise require institutionalization in a TBI rehabilitation facility. The TBI waiver is designed to be a rehabilitative program for consumers to receive therapies and services that enable them to rely less on supports as their independence increases.

 

In 2018, the Kansas Legislature enacted a law requiring that the TBI Medicaid waiver cover children and people with acquired brain injuries as well as those with traumatic brain injury. Kansas is in the process of renewing federal approval for its TBI waiver and the proposed new waiver will include children and individuals with acquired brain injuries as required. The waiver is due for renewal in July of 2019. If approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Kansas will become the first state in the nation to establish a rehabilitation program for children who have a brain injury.

 

Bourbon County, Government, Submitted

Agenda For the Bourbon County Commission June 12

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: June 12th, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-Firework permit

9:45-Decker Electric

10:00-10:30-Benefits Direct-Andrew Allen

10:30-11:00-Bill Martin-trash bids for the new jail/sheriff

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

Executive Session-Privileged in the attorney-client relationship-15 min.

Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel-15 min.

Bids and contract title insurance-7 min.

Sale of County Property-5 min.

Update on NRP-5 min.

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

` 1:30-1:45-Old Jail/New Jail-Justin Meeks

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual 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(s) 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

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Obituary

Obituary Of Susan O’Bryan

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Susan E. O’Bryan, age 75, resident of Uniontown, KS, died Monday, June 11, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

  There was cremation.

  Private family burial will take place in the Uniontown Cemetery. 

The family will announce a Celebration of Life Service at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to the Mercy Cancer Center and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Kansas, Submitted

KDOT Funding Improvements For Local Public Agencies

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Governor Colyer, KDOT Announce Local Projects Funding Improvements

Topeka – Governor Jeff Colyer today announced that the Kansas Department of Transportation is increasing the exchange rate for local public agencies seeking to fund local projects with state funds through the Federal Fund Exchange Program, returning the exchange rate to $.90 in state funds made available for every $1.00 in federal funds awarded a local agency, upon that agency’s request.

“By participating in the Federal Fund Exchange Program, we are hoping to increase the control that localities have over their transportation projects and make sure that funds are available when they need them,” said Governor Colyer. “It is important to me that local governments have access to resources for local projects with less federal regulation and bureaucratic red tape. We want Kansas solutions for Kansas transportation issues.”

The Federal Fund Exchange Program is a voluntary program allowing local public agencies the option to sell all or a portion of their federal funds for state transportation dollars, which provides greater flexibility of use and allows local agencies the opportunity to fund larger projects that may not have been possible with federal funding.

“We value the partnership we have with local public agencies and we are looking forward to maximizing our capacity to help them improve their local transportation infrastructure,” said Secretary of Transportation Richard Carlson. “We want to continue providing a statewide transportation system that meets the needs of the people of Kansas.”

Federal funds exchanged for state funds can be used for local projects such as road construction, maintenance or preservation, safety improvements, sidewalks, ADA ramps, bridge construction, rehabilitation or repair, and low water crossings. The funds exchange program allows local agencies to deposit federal funds over a period of years to bank funds for larger projects or to fund projects that would not have fallen under federal requirements.

Max Dibble, Phillips County Commissioner and Kansas Association of Counties President, said, “Restoration of the $.90/$1.00 ratio in the federal funds exchange program will allow counties to further stretch our transportation dollars.  This means safer local roads and bridges for our citizens, farmers and businesses depending on them.”

Michael White, Executive Director of the Kansas Contractors Association commented that, “our economy depends on good roads and infrastructure. We appreciate the Governor and KDOT’s leadership to leverage innovative opportunities for transportation funding. This is a perfect example of how we can all work together – at the local, state and federal level – to repair and grow our economy through results-driven infrastructure investments.”

“As we travel the state and talk to cities, we repeatedly hear transportation funding and infrastructure development is critically important to maintain and grow our state,” said Erik Sartorius, Executive Director of the League of Kansas Municipalities. “We appreciate the Governor and KDOT for reinstating the 90-cent exchange rate for local projects. These funds are used to build important projects in cities including the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of roads and bridges.”

The exchange rate was $.90 for fiscal years 2011-2017 and was at $.75 for fiscal year 2018. Approximately $30 million in federal funds has been eligible for the program. The new rate will take effect with all new contracts.

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Minimize Food Waste

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Kathy S. McEwan Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Foods & Nutrition, SNAP-Ed Coordinator Southwind Extension District – Iola Office P.O. Box 845, Iola KS 66749 620-365-2242 [email protected]

Training focuses on addressing food issues in local communities

The Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute has formed a partnership with the Kansas Alliance for Wellness to present three upcoming workshops on minimizing food waste and keeping unused food out of local landfills.

The workshops will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

– June 14 – Salina Public Library.

– June 21 – Iola courthouse.

– June 28 – Oakley, Buffalo Bill Cultural Center.

There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided, but interested persons are encouraged to register in advance at www.sbeap.org.

The workshops are being held to address the fact that 40 percent of food produced in the United States goes uneaten, while one in eight Americans struggle to put enough food on the table.

The workshops follow a train-the-trainer approach, allowing participants to learn more about what they can do to address food issues in their community. Organizers say the training will follow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s hierarchy of food recovery, which includes donating food to food-insecure populations as one of its top solutions.

The workshop also will include training on strategic communications, including advocacy, marketing and messaging, which can be used to conduct public campaigns aimed at food system policies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service provided funding for these workshops.

For more information, or if you need accommodations to attend the Iola workshop, contact Kathy McEwan, Southwind Extension District, at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.

Government, Kansas

Governor Colyer Announces Launch of KanTrack Website

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Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. Announces Launch of KanTrack Website

 

Topeka– Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. today announced the launch of the state’s new KanTrack website, which is a hub used to track performance metrics of state agencies. These metrics measure the most critical functions of their respective agencies and make that information readily available to the public at the click of a button.

“When I became governor one of my first actions was to sign a series of executive orders aimed at increasing government transparency, including through the creation of the KanTrack website,” said Governor Colyer. This website will increase the public’s ability to observe the efficiency of government agencies, be informed on how we are performing and allow them to take a more active role in the governing process. The launch of this site was important to me because I believe transparency is the key to better accountability and accountability is the key to getting real results.”

In February, Governor Colyer signed Executive Order 18-07 ordering the creation of the KanTrack dashboard to make key performance measures for Kansas Executive Branch Cabinet-level agencies publicly accessible. Governor Colyer remains committed to improving the transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness of Kansas government.

The website can be viewed at https://admin.ks.gov/kpi.

 

Area News, Government, Submitted

SEK Republican Chairs to Host Governor’s Forum

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Several Southeast Kansas (SEK) Counties have been working together to organize and host a Republican Governor’s Forum. The intent of the Forum is to educate voters and promote the SEK region. Four Republican county chairs, Don Alexander of Neosho County, Marsha Wallace of Crawford County, Mike Howerter of Labette County and Virgil Peck of Montgomery County have invested many hours in preparation for what they expect to be a big event for SEK.

The event will take place in Parsons, at the Parsons Municipal Auditorium, located at 112 S. 17th – one block west of the main north-south corridor (Hwy 59 or 16th street) in Parsons on the evening of June 16th. The doors will open at 5:00 and the Forum will formally start at 6:00.

Virgil Peck, the “unofficial chairman” of the group, said the idea came to him in the middle of the night several months ago. Soon after, he approached the other county chairs about the idea and says, “They all liked the idea and were immediately willing to join together to make it happen”.

The group first met at the Republican State Convention in Wichita last February to start the process. Peck reports that they have worked hard at planning and making the necessary arrangements to ensure that the Forum is a first-class event for SEK. He says he is very grateful to the many area businesses and individuals who have made financial contributions to cover the expenses, especially the Platinum sponsors: Monarch Cement of Humboldt, Taylor Crane and Rigging of Coffeyville and Ash Grove of Chanute. “Their contributions make it possible for the event to be free to the public,” said Peck. He went on to say that some Forums and Debates around the State have charged an admission of as much as $20 per person to attend their event. “We didn’t want to exclude any Republican voter, so we are making this happen at no cost to those who wish to attend.”

All five leading Republican candidates for Governor have confirmed their attendance and participation. They are Governor Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, State Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, Dr. Jim Barnett and Patrick Kucera. In addition to the candidates seeking the office of Governor, several Republican candidates running for 2nd District Congress and other statewide offices will be at the event to visit with voters.

Alexander said, “This forum gives the people of SEK an unprecedented opportunity to personally meet future leaders in Topeka and Washington.” He encourages voters to: “Come talk with the candidates, shake their hands, and ask serious questions.” Alexander adds, “The forum also gives these future leaders a look at what we have to offer in SEK – so a good turnout is important.”

Howerter informs area residents that if they just can’t make it to Parsons on the 16th, they can listen to the forum live on KGGF radio (690 AM) or view it live on the internet – as it will be live-streamed worldwide. “I have run several of this type of meeting in the past. I commend my fellow chairs, especially Virgil (Peck) and Don (Alexander), they have really been doing a great job.” 

There will be free literature and yard signs from the many different candidates attending the Forum. It is recommended that attendees arrive early to get the best seats. Additionally, at 5:40 there will be a pre-forum event to introduce and hear from the candidates for Second District Congress.

Joining with the other Chairs to encourage attendance at the Forum, Wallace says, “Although it is beneficial to read about the candidates and listen to what they have to say on the radio or internet, there is no better way to get a feel for who a person truly is than to look them in the eye, shake their hand and visit with them in person.”

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Submitted

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

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What’s Happening

June 8, 2018

8-9
Livestock Sale – Fort Scott Livestock Market, 10am
8
Friday Night Concert in the Park – Heritage Park Pavilion, the corner of 1st & Main, Downtown Fort Scott, 7-8pm – Hemphill Family Band
9
Conceal Carry Class – The Bunker, 108 Scott Ave, 8am-4pm
9
Mercy Health Foundation Golf
Scramble – Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 Horton St, 9am-2pm
9
4th Annual Fort Scott Fire Department Benefit Ride, will start @ 12pm, Fort Scott Fire Department, 1604 S National Ave., and end @ Holmtown Pub, 206 N National Ave. with live band.

Click here for more information.
9
Live Band at Holmtown Pub – John Thomas Band, 9-12pm
11
USD 234 Board of Education Meeting, 424 S. Main, 5:30-6:30pm
11
American Legion Post 25 General Meeting – Memorial Hall, Corner of National and 3rd, 7-8pm
11
Fit-N-Fun Summer Program ages 6-10-Mercy HFL, 405 Woodland Hills Blvd, 9-10am
11
Summer Reading: Libraries Rock! – Fort Scott Public Library, 10-11am
11
Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 Horton St., 12:00 pm
11
T.O.P.S Meeting – BRCC, 4-5pm
12
Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County Meeting – Old Congregational Church, 7-8pm
13
Breakfast Bingo – BRCC, 9-10am
13
Summer Reading: Libraries Rock- Musician Alan Cunningham – Danny & Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, 10 am
13
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church, 12-1pm
13
Adult Coloring Program hosted by the Fort Scott Public Library, 2:00 pm
13
TAG – Teen Advisory Group Meeting – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 4:00 pm
14-17
Adam LaRoche 16U Baseball Tournament – LaRoche Baseball Complex
14
Chamber Coffee – Lavender Patch, 2376 Locust Rd., 8am
14
Fit-N-Fun Summer Program – Mercy HFL, 405 Woodland Hills Blvd, 9-10am
14
Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 Horton St., 12:00 pm
14
Thursday Card Players – BRCC, 6-9pm
14-15
Livestock Sale – Fort Scott Livestock Market, 10am-5pm
15
Art Walk – Bourbon County Arts Council, 5-8pm
15
Friday Nigh Concert in the Park – Hertiage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St. Downtown, 7-8pm
15
Tumbleweed Real Country Festival with Cody Johnson & more, 7095 W. 339th St, La Cygne, KS 66040, just 45 minutes north of Fort Scott, 7-11pm
16
4th Annual TATA Benefit Ride – Care to Share, 11am

Click here for more information about registration and event.
16-17
Eastern Kansas Swine Show Series – Bourbon County Fairgrounds
16
Bike Across Kansas ends in Fort Scott!
16
Lavendar Festival – The Lavander Patch, 2376 Locust Rd., 9-3pm
16
Couples Night – The Bunker, The Outdoor Range, 1562 Maple Rd., 5-7pm
Click here for more information about the event.
18
Chamber Board Meeting – Papa Don’s, 12-1pm
18
FSCC Board of Trustees Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 5:30-6:30
18
Community Book Club – Fort Scott Public Library, 7-9pm
Click here for more information about event.
19
FSCC Livestock Judging Clinic – FSCC, 2108 S. Horton St.
Click here for more information about registration and complete details
of event.
19
Fit-N-Fun Summer Program – Mercy HFL, ages 6-10, Mercy Health For Life, 405 Woodland Hills Blvd., 9-10am
19
Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 12-1pm
19
T.O.P.S. Meeting – BRCC, 4-5pm
19
City Commission Meeting – City Hall,
6-7pm
20-22
FSCC Livestock Judging Camp 2018 – FSCC, 2108 S. Horton St.
Click here for more information about registration and complete details
of event.
20
Summer Reading: Librairies Rock! – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Ave., 10-11am
20
Rotary Meeting – Presbyterian Church, 12-1pm
20
Adult Coloring Program – Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S National Ave.,
2-4pm
20
TAG – Teen Advisory Group – Fort Scott Public Library, 4-5pm
21-24
Grand Slam Baseball Showcase – LaRoche Baseball Complex
21
Chamber Coffee – The BEACON Food Pantry, 525 E. 6th St., 8am
21
Fit-N-Fun Summer Program ages 6-10-Mercy HFL, 405 Woodland Hills Blvd, 9-10am
21
Kiwanis Meeting – FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 Horton St., 12:00 pm
21
Thursday Card Players – BRCC, 6-9pm
21
Coffee with Doug – Common Ground, 116 S. Main St., 6-8:30pm
Save the Date:
 June 23rd – SEK Outdoorsmen Scramble
June 23rd – Ben Taddiken in Concert @ Liberty

                    Liberty Theatre Patio
June 28th – Surf Beach Bash VBS @
                    Parkway  Church
June 28th – Patriots’ Baseball Tournament
     benefiting Combat Veteran’s Organization
Kansas

44th ANNUAL KANSAS BICYCLE TOUR

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(June 7, 2018) – The 44th year of the longest-running bicycling event in Kansas history—a 558-mile ride across the State—begins Saturday, June 9, 2018. BIKING ACROSS KANSAS (BAK) is an eight-day tour originating at the Kansas-Colorado line with up to 700 bicyclists, including support staff.

 

The bicyclists will start at the Kansas-Colorado line west of Johnson City. Their overnight stops will be Montezuma, Ashland, Pratt, Clearwater, Burden, Fredonia, and Arma. The cyclists’ final night together will be in Arma on Friday, June 15. The following morning, they will cycle to the Missouri border in Arcadia and cycle into Fort Scott, where they will celebrate the end of the ride with a picnic at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

BAK is also routed through Ulysses, Meade, Greensburg, Coldwater, Zenda, Belle Plaine, Winfield, Longton, Elk City, St. Paul, and many more Kansas towns.

 

“2018 offers a variation of the much-requested southern route that Biking Across Kansas has visited less frequently than other parts of the state. The route will take cyclists through several scenic regions of Kansas including the wide-open High Plains, the Red Hills, the famed wheat country of south-central Kansas, and the rolling Flint Hills. Highlights along the way include the Adobe Museum in Ulysses, the Stauth Museum in Montezuma, the Dalton Gang Hideout in Meade, the Big Basin sinkhole in Clark County, the World’s Largest Hand-Dug Well in Greensburg, the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, and Historic Fort Scott.” said David Rohr, Chairman of Biking Across Kansas, Inc.

 

Participants will enjoy the state’s favorable cycling conditions as well as people, attractions, food, and entertainment in rural Kansas. Bicyclists will also visit residents at Parkwood Village in Pratt and Morningstar Care in Fredonia to visit with residents and share about bicycling gear, and BAK. The Spokesmen, BAK’s barbershop chorus, will serenade residents.

 

Participants represent 26 states and 124 cities in 65 Kansas counties. Ages range from 10 – 85. Quite a number of riders have participated in BAK for over 40 years.

 

The primary objectives of Biking Across Kansas are to promote wellness through bicycling, celebrate Kansas history and the beauty of its landscape, and enjoy the warm hospitality of its towns and people.

 

For more information on Biking Across Kansas 2018, visit https://bak.org/.

 

About Biking Across Kansas

Biking Across Kansas (BAK) is an annual, eight-day, bicycle tour across the state of Kansas. BAK promotes health and wellness through bicycling, the history and beauty of the Kansas landscape, and the warm hospitality of the Kansas towns and people. BAK started in 1975 and has been an annual event bicyclist and Kansas local look forward to annually.