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Area News, Government, Kansas

New safety signage along U.S. 69 aims to reduce crashes

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Submitted photo.

 

Road users traveling U.S. 69 in Crawford County will see newly installed yellow “Safety Corridor – Increased Enforcement” signage. These warning signs bring attention to heightened law enforcement efforts as part of a Safety Corridor Pilot Program launched in Summer 2023. The Safety Corridor Pilot Program is a five-year initiative aimed at reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on four selected highway corridors in Kansas. The Program entails a comprehensive set of strategies in enforcement, education, engineering, and emergency response.

 

The U.S. 69 Safety Corridor extends from the U.S. 400 junction north through Frontenac and Pittsburg to the U.S. 160 junction. Crash reports indicate 98 total crashes occurred along the U.S. 69 corridor route over a five-year timeframe (2016-2021), including 4 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. The Kansas Department of Transportation installed signage to alert motorists of increased enforcement of risky driving behaviors associated with crash risk.

 

“U.S. 69 was selected for this pilot safety initiative based on a history of fatal and serious injury crashes and crash reports noting a reoccurring pattern of risky driving behaviors,” said Southeast District Engineer Wayne Gudmonson. “The goal is to help travelers get home safely by bringing attention to the importance of obeying traffic laws, wearing seat belts and advancing a culture of safe driving behaviors.”

 

The Safety Corridor Pilot Program will run until 2028. Secondary educational messages in schools and businesses along the four corridors will be distributed beginning this month. For more information on the Safety Corridor Pilot Program, visit the program website at https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burTrafficSaf/safetycorridor.asp.

 

 

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Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission To Consider Applying For the Certified Local Government Program

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Friday, August 11 at 5 p.m at city hall, the Fort Scott City Commission will discuss the idea of Fort Scott considering the option of applying to the Certified Local Government Program as presented to the Design Review Board and the City Commission by Mayor Matthew Wells.

The Certified Local government (CLG) program is designed to promote the preservation of prehistoric and historic sites and districts by establishing a partnership between the local government on behalf of the State of Kansas and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Kansas Historical Society.

Katrina Ringler, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, and Director of Cultural Resources Division of the Kansas Historical Society will be present at the meeting to answer questions.

 

Please share with anyone who might be interested in learning more about this program and participate in the discussion of this proposal for the City.

 

Further information that was presented at the City Commission meeting can be found at http://www.fscity.org/AgendaCenter

 

An announcement will be posted on Facebook as well.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Host Families For International Students Are Needed in Bourbon County

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School is just around the corner, and I have an opportunity to make this year EXTRA SPECIAL for your family. FLAG International is seeking host families for international exchange students in Fort Scott and the surrounding area.

There are hundreds of students from counties around the world who are waiting for host families in the US to say “Yes!” to the opportunity to be their family for the 2023-2024 school year! Would YOU be a HERO for these students? They have been anxiously waiting to hear who their host family will be so they can start a connection with them before they arrive.
Not ready to host the whole school year? That’s ok! Would you consider being a welcome family for 5 weeks while we continue to seek them a permanent placement?
Find out how adding a bonus family member ​from the other side of the planet will grow your HEART and make this year EXTRA special for your family.
Let us match you with a student that shares common interests with you and your family – athletics, arts and lifestyle!

Ask me for more information! You can email me at [email protected] or call or text 620-215-5494.

Church news, Youth

Carpenters for Christ Youth Carpentry Workshop

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Carpenters for Christ Youth Carpentry
Workshop

Location: First Southern Baptist Church
1818 S Main St

August 7 th , 8 th & 9 th
10am till 11:30am

Ages: 6 th thru 8 th Grade (Boys & Girls)

Enrollment Limited to 15 youth

(Call 620-223-2986 to reserve a spot)

Workshop will include: Snacks, a Bible Lesson, and a Carpentry
Training Session

*Youth that attend at least 2 sessions will receive a free t-shirt
(t-shirts will be ordered after the end of the 2 nd workshop)

Bourbon County

Healthy Bo Co Action Team Tackles Public Transportation

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The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s coalition Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) has been making efforts to bring affordable public transportation through SEK-CAP that is also wheelchair accessible to Bourbon County. As have right now this program will run 3-days a week. We are planning on launching this program at the end of August. We wanted community members to share input on what the weekly schedule should look like and provide feedback. Please fill out this short survey and share with others!

BBCO Public Transportation Survey (google.com)

 

 

Rachel Carpenter. Submitted photo.

Submitted by

Rachel Carpenter

Director

The Center for Economic Growth

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

PH: 620-215-2562

104 N National

Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly Invites Public Input on Broadband Infrastructure Plan

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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 1 is available for public viewing and comment. The BEAD 5-Year Action Plan, along with Volume 1 and Volume 2, will identify served, unserved, and underserved locations across the state and map out a plan to expand access to high-speed internet.

The BEAD program, established by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, has allocated more than $451 million to Kansas for the development of broadband networks.

“Universal internet access is essential, and BEAD is a catalyst to a more connected and prosperous Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “From remote work to telehealth and other critical services, my administration is committed to ensuring every Kansan has the opportunity to thrive in the digital economy.”

Residents, community organizations, businesses, and local authorities from across the state are encouraged to participate in the public comment period for Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal. The document adheres to National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) guidelines and includes a description of each requirement and attachments.

Volume 1 includes:

  • Existing broadband efforts
  • Identification of unserved and underserved Kansans
  • List of community anchor institutions

“It’s essential to have opportunities for meaningful public comment and connection with the Office of Broadband Development if we are to achieve the goal of universal service,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas is on the path to a more digitally accessible future, and participation in the public comment period will play a crucial role in shaping the success of the BEAD program.”

These strategic planning documents aim to bring robust broadband connectivity to every corner of Kansas, bolstering economic growth, education, health care, and public safety.

“This historic investment will make bold strides toward closing the digital divide and empowering Kansas communities,” said Jade Piros de Carvalho, Director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. “Input from Kansans is needed to ensure everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy enhanced broadband access, creating greater opportunities for all residents.”

Public comments on Volume 1 can be submitted online here until August 30.

Learn more about the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Plan here.

Art, Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Museum Receives Abstracts Created By Parks

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A panel in the Gordon Parks Museum.

Fort Scott, Kan. Aug.1, 2023 – Dr. Matthew Goltl, a Wichita chiropractor and longtime admirer of Gordon
Parks, has donated four of the celebrated photographer’s master prints to the Gordon Parks Museum
at Fort Scott Community College.

The 17-by-22 images are from “The Gordon Parks Signature Collection: Images from the Soul” by
Marcia McCoy, photographer and friend of Parks.
The photographs – titled “Moondown,” “Sky Song,” “Stream-side Blossoms” and “A Memory” – will
become part of the museum’s collections.

“We are so very thankful to Dr. Goltl for this wonderful contribution to our museum; this is a wonderful
addition to our collections,” said Kirk Sharp, executive director.

McCoy also teamed with Parks and Robert Erlichman of Art Guild Press to create an edition suite of
the many iconic photos taken by the Fort Scott native.

“Mr. Parks is a national treasure and has inspired creators globally to have the courage to create and
express their voices and visions,” she said. “We are delighted to share these powerful and inspiring
abstracts with you and the world.”