Chester Eugene “Chet” Bower, age 79, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, at his home. There was cremation.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 29th, at the Community Christian Church.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the Church.
Memorials are suggested to Show-Me Christian Youth Home or Community Christian Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Unveiling a Bipartisan Breakthrough on NIL Legislation On April 4, 2022, the University of Kansas Jayhawks defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship. An average of 18.1 million people watched the Jayhawks comeback victory, making it the most viewed NCAA championship game in cable television history. This game was broadcast by Turner, which, along with CBS, agreed to an $8.8 billion contract extension with the NCAA to broadcast March Madness on their networks. It is no secret that college athletics have grown into an increasingly profitable, billion-dollar industry. However, the rules surrounding athlete compensation have not been modernized.
On Thursday, I released bipartisan proposal draft legislation that would make certain college athletes can benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness without hurting their eligibility to compete. The College Athletes Protection & Compensation Act would set national standards for name, image, and likeness, while also prioritizing athletes’ health and education. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J) and I released this proposal to empower student athletes while maintaining the integrity of college sports that we all know and love. Athletics teach young men and women many valuable skills that serve them throughout their life, and it’s important to protect their ability to pursue an education while allowing them to capitalize on their name, image and likeness as a college athlete.
Recognizing Senator Bob Dole’s 100th Birthday
One of Kansas’ most beloved sons, Senator Bob Dole, who would have turned 100 on Saturday. The legacy of Senator Dole is one of service, sacrifice and love for country. He dedicated his life to his fellow Kansans and to his country, working to create a more perfect union for all. He was a friend to all and embodied what it means to be a statesman, a public servant and most importantly, a Kansan.
Celebrating Ribbon Cutting of Washburn University Law School Robert J. Dole Hall I was pleased to be in Topeka on Friday to honor the legacy of Bob Dole and to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Washburn University’s new state-of-the-art law school building. The Robert J. Dole Hall is a $33 million-dollar project which includes a courtyard, an advocacy area, law clinic, more than 12,000 feet of classroom space and an 11,000 square foot library. Washburn leadership announced earlier this spring their plans to move the education department to this new building to serve more students as Washburn’s competitive law program continues to grow.
I want to extend my thanks to Washburn University President Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, Dean of Washburn’s School of Law Jeffrey Jackson, and Washington University Alumni Foundation President Marshall Meek for inviting me to join them on Friday and for their efforts to make certain that Senator Dole’s memory lives on at Washburn. Washburn University’s School of Law continues to offer Kansans a premier institution to learn and study law while also developing their network in the state for future employment. I look forward to countless years of Washburn School of Law graduates, now studying in the Robert J. Dole Hall, honing their legal skills and staying in our state to serve their fellow Kansans.
Chester Eugene “Chet” Bower, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday morning, July 25, 2023, at his home. Services will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Community Connection Panelist Luncheon on Wednesday, July 26th, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St. Chamber members and the community are invited to attend for updates on things that are happening in the community!
The event is free to attend but registration is requested. Box lunches are available by pre-order for $10 and those need to be ordered by July 25th at 10am. Those planning to attend may RSVP online at fortscott.com under the events tab.
There will be a 7-minute update from each of the following panelists, ending with time for questions:
Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, Craig Campbell Chair, Becky Tourtillott Vice Chair
Fort Scott National Historic Site, Carl Brenner
Fort Scott Recreation Commission, Lucas Kelley
Good Neighbor Action Team, Craig Campbell
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Jody Hoener President/CEO, Rachel Carpenter Director
Kansas Small Business Development Center, Dacia Clark, Assistant Director PSU KSBDC
Moderator for the event will be Bailey Lyons of Lyons Realty Group, 2023 Chamber Board Chair.
MeadowLARK Grant Program to Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities in Kansas
~~Kansas Office of Apprenticeship Receives More Than $6M to Modernize and Expand State’s Registered Apprenticeships~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship has launched the MeadowLARK — Leading Apprenticeship Results in Kansas — Initiative to expand the state’s Registered Apprenticeship opportunities further.
“MeadowLARK is an important tool that will be used to grow the state’s skilled workforce in rural and urban communities across multiple industries – further advancing Kansas’ economic growth,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By continuing to work together, we are fostering a brighter, more resilient, and more prosperous future for all who call the Sunflower State home.”
Funding for MeadowLARK was delivered through a State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, which provides targeted support to state Registered Apprenticeship Programs. A total of $6,331,847 was awarded to Kansas.
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship will utilize these funds to continue revolutionizing apprenticeship in Kansas. MeadowLARK will also greatly expand the office’s efforts by developing Multi-Employer Intermediaries focusing on high-demand, high-wage occupations to meet industry needs.
“Since it was established last year, the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship is making huge strides to expand the highest quality earn-and-learn opportunities across our state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Through the MeadowLARK funding, the office will continue bringing together businesses, industries, labor, workforce boards, higher education systems, state departments, and other stakeholders, with one objective: Making Kansas a top 25 apprenticeship state by 2025.”
“MeadowLARK represents the latest and most significant opportunity for us to revolutionize how we develop and engage the workforce system and Multi-Employer Intermediaries.,” Shonda Anderson, Director of Apprenticeship and Internship for the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, said. “With this model, we’re able to create easier pathways for businesses to grow their own workforce.”
In addition to modernization, MeadowLARK will invest nearly $5.7 million over the next three years to advance integration efforts with local Workforce Boards across Kansas and establish Statewide and Regional Multi-Employer Intermediaries.
The Statewide Multi-Employer Intermediaries include:
Statewide Multi-Employer Intermediaries convene and ease the development of Registered Apprenticeship programs for specific employers.
“This Registered Apprenticeship program is a critical step toward addressing the teacher shortage here in Kansas,” Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson said. “These additional grant funds will help ease the financial hurdle many aspiring educators face on their way to earning a college degree and enable us to expand the program.”
Local Workforce Boards such as Kansas WorkforceONE will convene opportunities for populations with barriers to employment.
“Kansas WorkforceONE is excited about the opportunities that the MeadowLARK grant will provide us,” said Deb Scheibler, Executive Director at Kansas WorkforceONE. “We can use this to expand Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities across central and western Kansas for some of our most vulnerable populations.”
The Regional Multi-Employer Intermediaries include:
Wichita-based health economy occupations, advanced manufacturing, and other emerging industries with Workforce Alliance
Governor Kelly Directs State Agencies to Update Continuity of Operations Plans
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that she has signed Executive Order 23-03, directing all executive branch state agencies to update their Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP). Having updated plans is vital in the event of natural or other emergencies that impact state agencies or degrade their ability to deliver services.
“These plans are essential to our preparedness for emergencies, so Kansans have peace of mind and confidence in our continuity of government,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These plans serve as a guide for our agencies to coordinate and manage their essential functions and services during disruptions of normal operations.”
Agency COOPs will address essential functions, critical facilities, order of succession, delegation of authority, communications, testing, training, and exercises, among other topics. State agencies are also directed to update COOP annually and provide those updates to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.
In her order, Governor Kelly encouraged other statewide elected officials, independent boards and commissions, the Regents Universities, and the Judicial and Legislative Branches to implement Continuity of Operations planning and to be part of state continuity preparedness discussions.
Executive Order 23-03 provides a deadline of December 31, 2023, for agencies to update their COOP.
A copy of Executive Order 23-03 can be found here.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee this Thursday, July 27th at 8am.
This week’s coffee will be hosted by Woodland Hills Golf Course located at 2414 Horton St.
Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
Fort Scott’s Woodland Hills Golf Course was named a Top 10 golf course in Kansas by Best Things Kansas and number 6 in the entire state.
Woodland Hills has also been named one of the best municipal courses in Kansas. Woodland Hills is an 18-hole park-style course, winding through beautiful scenery, with elevation changes and some of the best views in Bourbon County.
Come enjoy one of Southeast Kansas’s hidden treasures at the Woodland Hills Golf Course.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
KCC to hold final public hearing in Evergy
rate increase request this week in Wichita
TOPEKA – Evergy customers will have one more opportunity to attend a public hearing to learn about the company’s rate increase request, ask questions and make comments before the Kansas Corporation Commission. The third and final public hearing will be held this Thursday at Wichita State University’s Lowe Auditorium at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5014 SE 29th St. North, beginning at 6 p.m.
The application, filed with the KCC on April 25, requests an average monthly rate increase of $14.24 for Evergy Central customers and $3.47 for Evergy Metro customers. Commission approval is required before a regulated utility can change its rates.
For those unable to attend the hearing in person, a virtual option via Zoom is available to allow remote participants to comment. Advance registration on the KCC’s website is required for those participating by Zoom. The hearings will be broadcast on the KCC’s YouTube channel for those wanting to view the hearing without participating.
The Commission is also accepting written comments regarding the rate increase request through 5 p.m., September 29, 2023, on its website, by mail to the Commission’s Office at 1500 SW Arrowhead Rd, Topeka, KS 66604-4027 or by calling the KCC’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 785-271-3140 or 800-662-0027.
The Evergy Central service area includes Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe, Leavenworth, Atchison, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson, Emporia, Parsons, Arkansas City, El Dorado, Newton, Fort Scott, Pittsburg and Independence, among other towns and rural areas. The Every Metro service area includes Lenexa, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area.
Hearings were previously held in Topeka on July 11 and Overland Park on July 13. Recordings of both hearings are available on the KCC’s YouTube channel.
Because it’s been so long ago, I can’t remember whose pump organ I played as a young girl. But I do remember the effort and coordination it took to coax the instrument into action and make the thing sing. It had about 17 knobs (stops) that could be pulled out to select the desired sound. If I pulled out all the stops, it was as full and loud as I could get it (as long as my ankles didn’t wear out). It’s a hoot to play one of these grand old gems. The Beverly Hillbillies was a favorite show of mine and I was always impressed with the delightful music cousin Pearl got out of her pump organ.
All my life I’ve been surrounded by the enthralling sound of music. In the church sanctuary, many of us have sung the lyrics by Judson W. Van DeVenter: “All to Jesus I surrender; all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live. I surrender all. I surrender all. All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” That’s quite a bold testimony song that’ll change your life if you truly mean what you sing. All for Jesus means none for Satan — zero, he gets nothin’. Nothin’ from nothin’ leaves nothin’.
As followers of Jesus, we must determine to “go for it” and pull out all the stops as we live for Him and represent Him. The account of Lot’s wife is a good example of a bad example. Her feet left Sodom, but her heart stayed. “When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, ’Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley’” (Genesis 19:17 NLT). She chose poorly when she disobeyed and looked back — and was promptly turned into a salt shaker. She’d been duly warned, but ignored it. Believers have three choices and we better choose excellently: Get in, get out, or get run over. Mrs. Lot started out in the right direction, but then her loyalty and determination fizzled out. She simply wasn’t all in for God and His plan for her life.
If believers will determine to do their part and live “full-court press,” God will provide all the tools we need to stand firm against the devil. With Jesus living inside us, being a Christian is “no hill for a climber.” But we have to make the decision that we’re going to love and trust Jesus totally, no matter how tired we get pumping that instrument. We don’t want to quit before life’s song is over because we need to finish what we started.
“Surrendering all” and living full bore is absolutely possible. “I withstand [the enemy]; I am firm in faith [against his onset — rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to my brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world (1 Peter 5:9 AMP).
After choosing Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord, we must make up our mind to never give up, look back, or turn around. “And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that He is real and that He rewards the faith of those who passionately seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 TPT).
The Key: Be determined not to wind up on the kitchen table in a salt shaker.
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