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Gordon Parks Museum

         Gordon Parks Museum celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Fort Scott, Kan. – The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held Monday, January 15th at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College.

The day will begin with a Day of Service: Canned Food Drive. Canned and non-perishable (non-expired) food items for the Beacon Food Pantry in Fort Scott, Kansas, will be collected at the museum from 1:00p.m. – till 6:00p.m.

 

At 1:00p.m., A film showing of “In Remembrance of Martin”, a PBS home video documentary.

 

At 2:00 p.m., A film showing of “Martin”, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Gordon Parks – This is a ballet tribute to Dr. King, written and directed by Gordon Parks.

 

Later that evening, the community is also invited to the Ellis Fine Arts Center for a free Soup Dinner that will be held at 5:00p.m. This includes soup, drink, dessert and birthday cake. Dinner and dessert will be provided by Great Western Dining. Also taking place that evening will be a Photo Promotion taken with “I Stand for Signs” provided by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

Following the Soup Dinner at 6:00p.m. will be a music celebration performance in the fine arts theater, “Celebrating Every Voice”.  This will be an evening of celebration and tribute through music. Performances provided by local choirs and bands.  The Gordon Parks Museum will also be open 12:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

All events are free to attend and will take place at both the Gordon Parks Museum and Ellis Fine Arts center.

 

A full list of film showings and events can be found at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events. For more information call the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850.

 

For more information call (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or email [email protected]

 

Bourbon County

Bo Co Coalition Minutes from January 3

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

January 3, 2024

 

 

  1. Welcome:  Twenty-one members representing nineteen agencies attended.  For the 2023 calendar year, the Coalition Board was able to assist 29 families, including 79 children with rent and utilities.  The Board voted to increase the monthly benefit available to $1,000.  The family swim pass applications will be ready before the first of April at Buck Run and The Beacon.

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Clara Wicoff was unable to attend, but sent information concerning a summer internship with K-State Research. Billie Jo will forward the information to members.
  • Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research: The free “Walk With Ease” class will begin on January 8 at Buck Run Community Center; contact Lea Kay at 620-224-0182 or [email protected] to register.  Classes will be from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until February 16.  Lea Kay is always looking for community partners for her nutrition classes; she only needs space, sink, and electricity.
  • Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries, Salvation Army, Ministerial Alliance: Allen announced that he and his family will be leaving Bourbon County to relocate in Georgia; he needs to find someone who cares about people to take over these ministries.  This year the Red Bucket Campaign for the Salvation Army raised enough to spend approximately $850 per month to help Bourbon County citizens.  Allen expressed thanks to all those who volunteered to ring the bells this Christmas season.
  • Lisa Robertson, CHC Community Health Worker and COPE (and Kylie Paulsen): They have been busy with Wash Wednesdays at the Washateria from 10-2; there is always a Community helper on site during these times to help clients with resources.  They will be  working with the east side laundry to provide free wash on the first Thursday of the month from 3 -6 pm.  These programs will run for at least one year.  The grant for COPE runs only through the end of May;  some job descriptions may change at that time.
  • Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT: PSU Small Business Development Center has new hours –  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9-4; Amy Sawyer will be the new person in the office.
  • Stephanie Herring, Family Resource Center; She is available to help with anything to make sure kids are receiving proper care for and are safe in their homes.
  • Christine Abbott, KansasWorks SEK: She is always looking for 16-24 year old young people who need help with employment issues, GED certifications, work study, etc.
  • Star Culp, Parents as Teachers: She has a waiting list for USD 234 but has openings in 235; contact Star through the Greenbush website.
  • Larry Jump, Community Liaison with SEKCAP: SEKCAP provides center and home based services for preschool children and parents.  Larry also uses his graphic design background to produce promotional items for SEKCAP.
  • Dawn Cubbison, Aetna Better Health: New 2024 brochures listing benefits and rewards for clients were distributied to members.
  • Elizabeth Schafer, CASA and Pioneer Kiwanis: These organizations need volunteers.
  • Lori Holman, American Red Cross: Lori has just begun her job as the account manager for the American Red Cross; she is in charge of nine counties.
  • Nick Johnson, USD 234 Pre-School: Nick announced that the district has recently purchased the former Family Physicians building on Horton Street to house the pre-school.  Once grant monies are received and remodeling completed, the pre-school will be able to serve 150-160 students.  The projected date for the pre-school to relocate is January 2025.
  • Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: At present there are only 13 applicants on the waitlist but they continue to  take applications.
  • Dee Dee LeFever, Community Liaison Greenbush: She is the resource person who helps match needs with services.  She will now also be helping on the Autism Team in order to provide more evaluation days each month.
  • Cheri Walrod: Fifteen core leaders are involved in the first session of Core Community; fund raising reached the goal for 2023; and families enjoyed several special adventures for the Christmas season.

 

  1. Program:  Tess Watson, founder of the Dream Big Little One project, Patti Street and Luann Nicoletti, project volunteers, shared how the program began in Tess’s kitchen making cinnamon rolls to raise funds and evolved into the 501c3 organization that it is at present. To date, the organization has helped over 1700 children obtain a bed complete with mattress, bedding, and comfort items.    Their mission is to provide clean, new or recycled beds and bedding for SE Kansas and SW Missouri children in need, free of charge.  Their need is help in donating bedding, new or gently used beds, or financial donations to help purchase said items.  The goal is to ensure that every child has a warm bed to rest his/her head.  To help with this project contact [email protected].

 

  1. Open Forum:

 

 

  1. Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be February 7, 2024.

 

Government, Kansas

KS Tax Collections Below Estimate

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December Total Tax Collections at $1.043B;

3.4% Below Estimate

TOPEKA –The State of Kansas ends December 2023 with total tax collections at $1.043 billion. That is $36.9 million, or 3.4%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 3.8% from December 2022.

Individual income tax collections were $397.1 million. That is $17.1 million, or 4.5%, above the estimate, and up 5.9% from December 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $235.7 million. That is $39.3 million, or 14.3%, below the estimate and down 16.1% from December 2022.

“Withholding tax, the largest component of the individual income tax receipts, was 9.2% greater than December 2022”, said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart. “This comes as no real surprise as the growth is entirely consistent with recent findings of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which showed that personal income and earnings in Kansas grew during the second and third quarters of 2023 at some of the highest rates in the country.”

Secretary Burghart further observed that the corporate income tax receipts were lower than expected because there was one less deposit day this December compared to December 2022. Nearly $34.4 million was deposited on that additional day in December 2022.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $302.4 million, which is $5.6 million, or 1.8%, below the estimate and down $4.9 million, or 1.6%, from December 2022.

Click to here view the December 2023 revenue numbers.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Meet and Greet Is January 9

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Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet scheduled for January 9th!

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, January 9th at Papa Don’s Pizza, 10 N. Main, from 8:30am-9:30am.

These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 with any questions.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

James Woods Leaves a Vacancy on USD 234 Board of Education

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James Wood from the USD 234 School Directory.

James Wood has served as a member of the Board of Education in Fort Scott for four years. He was just recently re-elected in November for a second term. James works at Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs, PA. In late November, James was promoted to a partner position with Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs, PA, which changed his responsibilities at the firm. Consequently, James is resigning his position on the USD # 234 school board effective January 1, 2024.

“James has been a great board member and has held several leadership positions on the school board during his term. He is a creative thinker and has been a great asset to the board because of his accounting and business background. He will be sorely missed on our board,” states Destry Brown, superintendent.
On reflecting about his time on the board, James reflects, “I have truly enjoyed my time on the Board of Education. I believe in the direction our school district is going and am excited for the future of the district. I grew up as a Tiger and will always be a Tiger at heart.”
The Board of Education will discuss filling the vacancy created by Wood’s resignation at the next board meeting on January 11th. 
Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Schools, Youth

Youth Sex Trafficking Prevention Presentation is January 31

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The following is a press release from USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown.

“I am excited to announce that thanks to Shanda Stewart, the E3 Ranch Foundation, and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department we are able to bring a phenomenal speaker to our community to educate us on the dangers of social media and its relationship to sex trafficking.  Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 31st 6 p.m. at the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center!,” according to the press release.

“Russ Tuttle will also be presenting to our students in all Fort Scott Schools on February 1st. His presentations to students are age appropriate and are geared at teaching students about the dangers of using social media.,” according to the release.
Here is the flyer for the event:

BeAlert® is the awareness and prevention strategy of The Stop Trafficking Project® to end domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)before it starts by disrupting the exploitation of vulnerability.

THIS ADULT ONLY COMMUNITY PRESENTATION FOCUSES ON THE ROLE OF “LIFE ONLINE” FOR STUDENTS

ONE IMAGE & THREE WORDS WILL CHANGE YOUR PARADIGM!

 

The Who – caring adults invited to attend:

  • Law enforcement
  • Firefighter’s and EMT’s
  • Medical professionals
  • Counselors
  • Faith community leaders
  • School personnel
  • Parents, guardians, and all other adult family members

 

The What – educate and empower caring adults in our community:

  • Students are enamored with social media and “life online”
  • Name apps and provide practical advice to guide caring adults
  • Unpack vulnerabilities that can be exploited: loneliness, isolation, depression, suicide, sexting, sextortion, pornography, cyberbullying, exploitation, sexual exploitation, and domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)

The How – the approach: Fast-moving Power Point presentation designed for maximum impact

 

The presenter – an active abolitionist: Has command of the topic and speaks with energy that grabs and keeps the attention of attendees.

The presentation – fast paced with appropriate images and videos:

  • Provide insight into the role of technology in exploiting vulnerabilities
  • Identify the demand in this high demand business of sexual exploitation
  • Provide the option to engage with the BeAlert® Strategy, the Stop Trafficking App, and the “top ten practical steps” for adults to keep students safer

 

LOCATION:   FSCC ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER

SPONSORS:  E3 RANCH FOUNDATION & BOURBON COUNTY SHERIFF’S         DEPARTMENT

TIME: 6 PM  on January 31

OTHER DETAILS: NO CHILDREN PLEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SHANDA STEWART 620-215-2681

Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly’s Year In Review

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Year in Review: Kelly Administration Delivers a Successful 2023 for Kansas

TOPEKA – As 2023 comes to an end, Governor Laura Kelly today highlighted some of the key successes from the first year of her second term.

“This year, I worked with the Legislature, members of my administration, and Kansans from across the state to continue building on the successes of our first term,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Heading into 2024, there is more work to be done to ensure Kansas remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Bipartisanship: In 2023, Governor Kelly signed 89 bipartisan bills into law, including significant legislation that:

Expanding Affordable Child Care:  The first executive order of Governor Kelly’s second term established the Early Childhood Transition Task Force. The task force was charged with reviewing Kansas’ early childhood programs and developing a roadmap to create a cabinet-level agency solely focused on supporting our youngest Kansans. Earlier this month, the task force presented Governor Kelly with its final report.

Throughout 2023, the Kelly administration has allocated more than $65 million to create nearly 6,000 new child care slots.

Economy and Workforce: In 2023 alone, the Kelly administration closed 256 economic development projects, totaling more than $3 billion in new business dollars invested into the state and creating or retaining more than 12,000 jobs.

In September, Governor Kelly celebrated the anniversary of establishing the Office of Registered Apprenticeship. Now, over 4,500 Kansans are active in a registered apprenticeship program, showing a nearly 55% increase in new registered apprentices and 18 new programs established in 2023.

Infrastructure: In 2023, Governor Kelly announced the final phase of the last two projects remaining from the T-WORKS program. These projects were only able to move forward through the Governor’s and Legislature’s bipartisan work to close the “Bank of KDOT” by the end of her first term.

High-Speed Internet: The collaboration of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Research and Education Network, and private providers brought $43 million in federal funding to strengthen the state’s high-speed internet infrastructure. Nearly 9,000 homes and businesses have been connected to high-speed internet in 2023.

Water: In partnership with the Legislature, Governor Kelly invested a record $35 million to protect vital water resources and fund projects to address high-priority dams and small-town water infrastructure through the passage of HB 2302. As she proposed in her budget, funding has also been dedicated to pay off debt for the Milford and Perry Reservoirs, saving Kansas taxpayers money in long-term interest payments.

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