Crime Victims Compensation Board awards more than $545K to victims in Q2
TOPEKA – (August 10, 2023) – The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board awarded financial assistance to 236 victims of violent crime at its meetings during the second quarter of 2023, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said.
The Board reviewed 245 new applications submitted by victims and approved $545,685.48 to be awarded to victims.
“While compensation cannot erase the trauma that victims experience, we hope that our support can alleviate the financial pressure faced by victims of crime,” said Kristen Czugala, Division Chief for Victim Services.
The Crime Victims Compensation program was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral expenses.
This quarter, the compensation board helped pay for the funerals of 17 victims in Kansas. The board also assisted 23 victims in relocating to a safe place after experiencing violence at the hands of another. The individuals helped include a grandmother who received a quarterly payment to help with the expenses of raising her grandchildren whose mother was murdered. In another instance, the board helped pay up to $25,000 in medical expenses for a stabbing victim.
The state’s Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000 with limitations of $7,500 for funeral and burial expenses, $5,000 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,500 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims.
A portion of assessed court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders provides funding to the program.
For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the attorney general’s website atwww.ag.ks.gov.
Amy Smith is a contemporary abstract artist who is inspired to create expressionist paintings that capture feeling and emotion. Amy works in mixed media and acrylics to create abstract fine art that is deeply layered and textured. Her contemporary art is a form of storytelling. She captures these stories with color and gesture and mark making. Abstract painting is a vehicle to outwardly express the deep inner work of the Spirit in me. When I begin to work on a piece I do not usually have a finished work in my mind. I may have a shred of an idea to start from, but I never have a plan. I am inspired by emotions,
relationships, current events, the natural environment, and most centrally, my faith
in relationship to all of these things. I work intuitively, moving among my paints, charcoal and collage papers as the piece develops and tells me where it wants to go. I am not sure that my pieces are ever really “finished,” but they come to a resting place that seems to make sense within the framework of the story being told. Like my own story, there is always another chapter to move on to, but each piece of art captures one moment in time. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, Matt, and her beloved cats. She has been a professional artist for over twenty years. In addition to painting, she also teaches painting and mixed media classes and mentors other growing artists and creatives.
Master Artist Classes!
We have two unique classes Amy will be teaching September 2nd!
Heart class-
Learn the secret formula to create Amy’s beautiful heart collage canvases. She will teach you the magic of layering pattern and color with paper and paint to create beautiful one of a kind heart canvases. Each student will create two 5×7″ layered mixed media artworks.
All supplies provided.
10am-12pm
Fat Baby Journals-
Create a special small journal with removable pages. Perfect for written or art journaling or as a scrapbook or travel journal. Each student will create one journal starting with precut cover pieces that will be assembled and covered with your choice of beautiful hand painted or commercial papers. We will cut down and assemble the interior pages and bind the book with colorful linen thread. students will have the choice to add a button or tied closure.
All supplies provided.
1pm-3pm
Both classes are ages fourteen and up! We cant wait to see you there!
Darrell Williams has been creating artwork since childhood. His first commissions were for custom painted Hot Wheels cars. He has been perusing his interest in art and automobiles ever since. His mediums include airbrush, graphite, oils, and colored pencil. He composes pieces that have a sense of nostalgia highlighting his interest in classic vehicles and Americana. Williams will gladly create a custom piece for you. He also offers custom work on vehicles.
Request to Pay – Invoice #08072301-EPEC-WWTP Aeration – $206,654.50
Phase II Aeration Upgrade (Total: $826,618.00)
25% of Total due – $206,654.50
Request to Pay – Bourbon County – I.T. Services 2023 – $25,500.00
Shane Walker – $12,000.00
Jimmy Kemmerer $13,500.00
July Financials
Public Comment:Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda
and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.
Old Business:
Consideration of bids for investment CDs from WWTP funds – B. Hart
Consideration to approve purchase of split case pump and impellor for WTP- $31,052.92 – S. Flater
Consideration to approve MOU to join Bourbon County Health in All Policies Task Force and select a City representative – TABLED 7/25 AND 8/1 –
Consideration to adopt a new policy for City Commission Agenda deadlines
Consideration to pay Diehl, Banwart, Bolton $18,150.00 (approved 7/25/2023) for Certified Audit of Records and Preparation of Audit Report for the year ending 12/31/22. Invoice #161402 indicates an additional $4,975.00 for Single Audit of Federal Funds. Total amount due $23,125.00 requiring a new motion.
Approval to go out for bid for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension
VII. Appearances: None
VIII. Public Hearing: None
New Business:
Consideration of Lake Campsite Improvements – B. Matkin
Consideration of 14-Day Camping Regulation at Gunn Park (Ordinance No. 3606) and corresponding municipal codes
Shelter House Price Increases for #2 and #6 (Ordinance No. 3607) and corresponding municipal codes
Consideration to Approve Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 to USDA – B. Hart
Consideration to Adopt Bond Ordinance No. 3752
Consideration to Adopt Bond Resolution No. 10-2023
Consideration to Approve Earls Engineering and Inspection, Inc. submission of work hours estimate for CCLIP US54-from US 69–Barbee Street – J. Dickman
The Hot Pink Heifer food truck is setting up at Uniontown Park tonight, before the Road Runnerz Band from 7-8:30 p.m., who will be playing classic rock and country music.
The baseball players, attendees at the weekly Chapel service, all raised their hands.
“Who believes God can do a miracle in your life?”
Same response.
“Who believes God will do one right now?”
The athletes looked at one another, unsure what to do. If they didn’t raise their hands, were they denying the possibility that this speaker had a special connection with God? If they did raise their hands, was the miracle dependent upon their faith being powerful enough to make it happen?
The guest evangelist, sensing their confusion, removed a banana from a plastic bag and asked the crowd, “How many of you believe that God can split the fruit of this banana into thirds without altering the peel in any way?”
The ballplayers were dumbfounded. After all, God could do anything He wanted, so He certainly “could” perform such a miracle. Slowly the men raised their hands.
“Good,” the speaker continued. “I’m going to pray that God does just that. I’m going to ask Him to slice the meat of this banana into thirds without making a mark on the skin. How many of you are confident God will answer my prayer?”
Surely it was a trick. Or was it? No one moved.
The speaker spoke to their doubts. “You probably think I’m messing with you, right? To prove I’m not, I’m going to pass this banana around the room. Check it carefully. See if there are any external marks on its skin.”
Each ballplayer took his time studying the banana. No one could find any puncture or marking. While the players sat on the edge of their seats, the preacher took the banana, raised it high, and prayed for it to be cut into thirds when peeled. As he broke the top portion of the banana’s skin and pulled it back, one piece—approximately a third—fell onto the table. The same scene replayed itself as the skin was peeled further. Three pieces. Just like the miracle worker said.
My son Adam, a player in that room, phoned me from the clubhouse.
“Mom, I just saw a miracle.” Adam proceeded to tell me what had happened. Although somewhat skeptical—only because I wasn’t sure why God cared about a banana dividing itself into thirds—I was thrilled for my normally unexcitable son to be so pumped about what he had witnessed.
A few days later I relayed Adam’s story to my friend. “Patty, that’s an old trick,” she said. “A threaded needle is pushed through the banana by working in a circular motion. With enough punctures, it creates a cut, and the skin heals itself so the pin marks can’t be detected.” I couldn’t believe it. The ballplayers had been deceived. My friend was as bothered by this evangelist’s tactic as was I.
I shared my findings with Adam so he could discuss what had happened with the chapel leader who organized the visiting speakers. I told him what bothered me most was that God doesn’t need any help in the miracle department. Jeremiah 10:12 speaks to His authority: But God made earth by his power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. His abilities are endless. For starters, He produced ten plagues to force Pharoah’s hand, provided manna for millions of Israelites wandering in the desert, saved Daniel and his friends from a fiery furnace, and made Himself man to redeem a lost humanity.
In retrospect, I hope the intention of the pastor was to excite his audience about God’s power and not to draw attention to his own ability to be used by God. I feel bad that he was so desperate to prove God is still in the miracle business. On the other hand, I would like to think my friend was wrong; there was no needle and thread and this man’s prayer was answered.
Please join us on Friday, August 11th at 5:00PM to 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.
New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant.
Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas.
Enhancements have been made for HEAL 4.0 that are designed to set up applicants for even greater success, including a longer application period and a maximum award of $100,000. Additionally, formal bids will be required this round from licensed contractors at the time of application submission.
“HEAL 4.0 will offer even more support and funding for communities working to bring vacant and underutilized buildings back to productive use,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce DavidToland said. “We want as many communities as possible across the state to benefit from this successful program that breathes new life into downtown districts.”
HEAL grants help bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
New or expanding businesses
Housing
Arts and culture
Civic engagement
Childcare
Entrepreneurship
Submitted projects must show potential to be economic drivers in that community and also demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. Proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application.
Communities that received a HEAL grant in the first round (awarded spring/summer 2022) are now eligible to apply again. Communities that received HEAL grants in either fall 2022 or spring 2023 are not eligible to apply this round.
The application window opens August 14 and closes November 10 with award notifications in mid-December.
A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Organizations and building owners interested in applying should register and attend the webinar. To register, please click here.
Additional information about HEAL, the webinar and the online application can be accessed here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
