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Government

USDA Rural Development Announces Awards for Domestic Biofuels in Kansas

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$5 Million Will Provide Fuel Station Improvements in Topeka, Ottawa and Ellis

 

TOPEKA, Jan. 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Christy Davis announced today that $5 million in grants will increase the availability of domestic biofuels in Kansas and give travelers cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas pumps.

“These grants will help people in rural areas access clean energy,” Davis said. “By increasing the supply of biofuels made here in Kansas and the U.S., we are strengthening our energy independence and lowering costs for Kansans in rural communities.”

The Department is making the awards through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Blending ethanol into gasoline has helped reduce fuel costs by approximately 25 percent. HBIIP expands the use of ethanol-based fuels at gas stations around the nation.

This announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes projects in 21 other states. The details of the Kansas projects are:

  • A $122,521 grant will help create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels through Capital City Oil Inc. This project will install one E15 dispenser, one E85 dispenser, one B20 dispenser, two ethanol storage tanks and two biodiesel storage tanks at one fueling location, located in Topeka. This project aims to increase the amount of biofuels used by 5,280,000 gallons per year.
  • A portion of a $4,943,820 grant will help create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels at two Kansas locations of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. This project will retrofit 704 E15 dispensers at 88 fueling stations located in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Station locations impacted by this grant are: AZ – Eloy, Chandler, Gila Bend, Williams, Benson, Joseph, City; FL – Lee, Ocala, Ormond Beach; GA – Waco, Thomson, Brunswick, Richmond Hill, Jackson, Dublin, Tifton, Emerson, Hogansville; IA – Sioux City; IL – Williamsville, Ina, Kankakee, Dwight, Le Roy, Roscoe, Greensvile, Utica; IN – Mooresville, Richmond, Whiteland, Memphis, Gary, Whitestown, Haubstadt, Demotte, Marion, Pittsboro, St. Paul; KS – Ottawa, Ellis; KY – Waddy, Sparta, Horse Cave, Corbin, Richmond, Grayson, Calvert City; MO – St. Joseph, Matthews, Rolla; NC – Dunn, Marion; NE – Aurora; NM – Albuquerque; NV – Fernley, Wells, Las Vegas; OH – Zanesville, Hubbard, Jeffersonville, Perrysburg, Burbank, Baltimore, Dayton; SD – Sioux Falls; TX – Van, Midlothian, Hillsboro, Katy,  Luling, Rockwall, Anna, Edna, Three Rivers, Texarkana, Weimar, Hutchins, Seguin, Fairfield, Von Ormy, Weatherford, Mount Vernon, Lufkin, Cleveland, Houston, Fort Worth, Rhome; and WI – Tomah. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 86,085,412 gallons per year.

Background: Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program

The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners, including marine, rail, and home heating oil facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and affordable source of energy. These investments help business owners install and upgrade infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. Expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels strengthens energy independence, creates new revenue for American businesses and brings good-paying jobs to rural communities.

In June 2023, USDA made $450 million available in Inflation Reduction Act funding through the HBIIP to expand the use and availability of higher-blend biofuels. That same month, USDA also announced the first round of Inflation Reduction Act-funded HBIIP awardees.

USDA continues to accept applications for funding to expand access to domestic biofuels. These grants will support the infrastructure needed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. There are three quarterly application windows left, and the program ends Sept. 30, 2024. The next application deadline is March 31, 2024.

For more information, go to the HBIIP webpage.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

 

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Obituary

Julia Fern Haggard Obituary

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Julia Fern Haggard, age 50, a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, January 6, 2024, at her home in Pittsburg. She was born November 30, 1973, in Pittsburg, Kansas the daughter of Harriett Walker Wisdom and Gary Falletti.

Julie graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1992. She married John Haggard on December 3, 1994, at Pittsburg, Kansas. Julie had worked for several years at Wal-Mart in Ft. Scott. John and Julie later lived in Texas for several years before moving to Pittsburg.

Julie loved sports of all kinds. She was a great fan of the Ft. Scott Tigers and of the Pittsburg State Gorillas and went to as many of their games as possible. She also enjoyed country western music. Some of her favorite singers were Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks and George Strait. Julie had a gentle spirit and loved animals.

Survivors include her husband, John, of the home; two sisters, Amy Nance and Dustee Craddock-Harrison as well as her father, Gary Falletti. Also surviving are her mother-in-law, Barbara Haggard, an aunt, Elizabeth “Alee” Walker, an uncle, Mike Falletti and numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends.

Julie was preceded in death by her mother and grandparents.

Rev. Dustin Morris will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Julie Haggard Memorial Fund 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.

Obituary

Obituary of Castiel Grubb

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Castiel Alistair Grubb, 8-month-old, son of Phillip Grubb and Haley Ford, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born April 12, 2023, at Overland Park, Kansas. He was named after an angel, was an angel here on earth and he is now an angel in Heaven. His name, Castiel Alistair, has the meaning, “My Cover is God, Defender of the People.” Castiel was born a month early and had to fight to live. He spent two weeks in the NICU and seldom cried. He will be remembered for his laid-back personality who was always satisfied and content. Not only did he love his parents, but he also dearly loved his brothers. He had a variety of nicknames, such as Cas, Bebe. Despite his brief life, he made a significant impact and made memories that will last a lifetime. He was loved and cherished abundantly by many.

Survivors include his parents, Phillip Grubb and Haley Ford and two brothers Ryker and Shepard Grubb. Also surviving are grandparents, Joel and Angela Grubb, Barbara and Jason Falbo, Leslie Keaton and Dwight and Lana Miller and great-grandmothers, Marjorie Turner and Wanda Keaton and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Terry and Vicky Ford and his numerous great-grandparents.

Pastor Dale Samuels will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, January 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Following funeral services there will be cremation and private burial will take place at a later day at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Castiel Grubb Memorial Fund 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.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Rescheduled Due to Forecasted Weather

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Fort Scott, Kan. – With inclement weather and severe cold in the forecast for Jan. 15, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Fort Scott Community College is rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 17.

In making the announcement, Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum noted that the “Day of Service” (in honor of King’s birthday) begins with a food drive for the Beacon Food Pantry of Fort Scott.

Canned goods and non-perishable, non-expired items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, located in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

The celebration, with all events open to the community, features a free soup lunch at noon. The lunch, provided by Great Western Dining, includes soup, drink, dessert and birthday cake. The celebration lunch also includes a “I Stand for …” photo promotion, sponsored by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

An afternoon of celebration and tribute through music, “Celebrating Every Voice,” begins at 1 p.m. in the theater and features choirs from the Apostolic Christian Church and the United Missionary Baptist Church, both of Fort Scott, and blues guitarist Lem Sheppard from Pittsburg. All events are free to attend.

 

For more information, go to https//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or call the museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850 or email [email protected]

 

 

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Kansas, Youth

Applications for 2024 Boys State of Kansas Session Open

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January 9, 2024 — The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is accepting applications for its 2024 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 8, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 32nd consecutive session at KSU and 86th overall.

Traditionally, Kansas Boys State is for individuals who will complete their junior year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. However, the ALBSK program will again expand the pool of applicants for this year’s session to include those who will complete their sophomore year of high school this spring.

 

The American Legion Boys State of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.

The cost to attend the Boys State of Kansas program is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or his family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2024 session should visit ksbstate.org to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2024 program is Tuesday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis.

 

Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit ksbstate.org/sponsor-a-delegate. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at [email protected] or (785) 550-6492.

 

For information about the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, June 2, through Friday, June 8, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit ksgirlsstate.org.

— #KSBoysState —

 

The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.

The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.

Obituary

Death Notice of Patricia Wynn

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Patricia C. Wynn, age 60, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola, Kansas.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will take place at a later date in the Bronson Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Patricia Wynn Memorial Fund 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.

Obituary

Death Notice of Castiel Grubb

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Castiel A. Grubb, 8 month old son of Phillip Grubb and Hailey Ford, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, January 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Following services there will be cremation and a private burial will take place at a later date in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Castiel Grubb Memorial Fund 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.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Board of Education Met On January 8

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, January 8, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

President Stewart welcomed the new board members to their first board meeting.

The board appointed Danny Brown as board member for the next two years.

Stewart Gulager was nominated and appointed as Vice-President of the USD 234 Board.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

12/11/23 Board Minutes

Financials-Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – December 18, 2023 – $1,689,996.80

Activity Fund accounts

USD 234 Gifts

CTE Math 2023-2024 Fundraising

Update Officers

Appoint KPERS Designated Agent

Resolution 23-11 KMIP Signers

Resolution 23-12 Bank Account Signers

 

Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month were Tim Button and Tim Coyan.

Mr. Coyan is a preschool driver and was recognized by Superintendent Brown for not missing one day of work this last semester. He was also thanked for his willingness to be available and helpful whenever needed.

Mr. Button is in his tenth year driving for USD 234. He also was recognized for not missing one day of work last semester. Superintendent Brown stated that he is thankful for safely transporting students to and from school.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on a Principal opening at Winfield Scott. USD 234 is taking applications until the end of January. He also shared results of building climate surveys and parent surveys that were taken last semester. Snow Day procedures were shared with the board in the event of inclement weather. Mr. Brown shared information about the events happening with the proposed new preschool building. Also, the new board members were invited to a New Board Member Training that would be held in Columbus, Kansas.

Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith gave an update to the board on the Essential Standards. She said we have “amazing teachers” that are working very diligently to use interventions that would increase the students’ education. This is an evolving document that will be shared on the district’s website sometime this week. USD 234 is seeing remarkable results.

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, gave a report on the Speech Department within Special Education. The need is growing, and she was able to share how USD 234 is working to fulfill those needs. She acknowledged the demanding work the Speech Team is doing to meet the requirements for each student.

Superintendent Brown reported on end of year finance reports.

Cherri Walrod, Community Liaison for Core Community Bourbon County (CCBBCO), gave an update to the board Monday evening. This program began in November of 2023 and has fifteen adults in the 20-week Phase One Program, with most being within the USD 234 School District. She recognized Janice Lamb, Community Coach, for working each week as a leader for the participants. She has helped with filling out applications, groceries, and being a listening ear when needed. “Core Community has been nothing but an amazing program to be a part of…It has brought my family closer together” was a testimony from a current participant. Visiting Core Community Bourbon County on Facebook will give updates, testimonies, and more information for anyone interested.

 

The board approved the following items:

  • To publish board seat #1&4 in the Fort Scott Tribune.
  • Open Enrollment Policy.
  • Regular Board Meeting dates for 2024.
  • Move the election of Board Officers until the July board Meeting.
  • Personnel Report following

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

January 8, 2024

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

 

Center, Ronette – Retirement

Charter, Shelly – Resignation

Lynch, Tabitha – Resignation

Satterfield, Cindy – Retirement

Smith, Dalaina – Resignation

Witt, Randi – Resignation  

 

TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

 

For the 2023-24 school year:

Certified:

Farrington, Jannah – Mentor for Anna Anderson for the remainder of school year

Underwood, Elizabeth – Paraprofessional to full time Speech Paraprofessional Winfield Scott

 

EMPLOYMENT:

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

Foulk, Joe – Help Desk Technician

McGehee, Sarah – Preschool Paraprofessional 

Robinson, Angela – Payroll Clerk

Yarick, Gail – Business Manager

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Jobs

 Valu Merchandisers Company (VMC) Fort Scott Closing Operations

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Value Merchandisers Company is located at 4805 Campbell Dr. in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park. This is a 2017 photo of the building.

January 8, 2024

Due to the completion of the state-of-the-art All-In-One (AIO) Distribution Hub in Hernando, Miss., we will be closing operations at our Valu Merchandisers Company (VMC) facility located in Fort Scott, Kan.

We will transition the majority of VMC Fort Scott’s inventory and shipments to the AIO and expect the transition to be
completed by the end of March 2024.

Our employees at this facility have worked hard and done an excellent job providing retailers with the best variety of quality Health & Beauty Care (HBC), General Merchandise (GM) and Specialty Foods (SF) at the lowest cost to drive sales since the facility was built in 1995.

This was not an easy decision, and we sincerely appreciate
the dedication the employees here have shown.
We are committed to helping all impacted employees through their transition to other opportunities, including potential opportunities within AWG.

Emile Breaux, Senior Vice President, Chief Sales & Support Officer, AWG

ABOUT ASSOCIATED WHOLESALE GROCERS, INC.:
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) is the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned
supermarkets, serving 1,100 member companies and more than 3,400 locations throughout 31 states from 9 wholesale
Divisions.