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Food, Fort Scott

Thompson-Harkey American Legion Post #25 Chili Cook-off Nov. 19

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Who: Thompson-Harkey American Legion #25

When: November 19th, 2022. Doors Open at 11:00 a.m. Judging will begin at 1:00 p.m., There will be two categories “Hottest” and “Most flavorful.”

Where: Memorial Hall, 1 East Third Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

The General Public is invited to participate and attend.

Entry Fee is $10.00 per Category. There will be prizes for the top three Winners in each Category.

 

Media Contact: Jessica Allison, Commander, American Legion Post #25. 620-224-4733, [email protected]

 

Fort Scott

Reading With Miss Val: Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month

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Schedule a Reading with Miss Val for
Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month

In honor of Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month, Miss Val, Youth Librarian at Fort Scott Public Library, would like to read “Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis to local preschool children. If you run a daycare or teach at a preschool and would like to schedule a reading, email Miss Val at [email protected] or call (620)223-2882.

The story “Not a Box” is a simple tale about a rabbit who uses its imagination to turn a box into many different things, including a rocket ship, racecar, burning building, and a mountain peak.

According to the State Library of Kansas website, “Kansas Reads to Preschoolers is an annual event that promotes reading to all Kansas children from birth through age five.
Through the statewide program, parents, librarians and caregivers are encouraged to read the chosen title during a selected week and month.”

Government, Kansas

Managing Water Use in Drought Years

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Multi-Year Flex Accounts Can Help Manage Water Use in Drought Years

For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2022

Media please contact:
Heather Lansdowne
785-564-6706
[email protected]

MANHATTAN, Kansas — As the drought continues to intensify across Kansas, many farmers have struggled to keep their crops alive amid the scarce water supply. The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources encourages water right owners to be alert to their water use for 2022 and consider applying for a multi-year flex account (MYFA) if they believe they may exceed their annual water use allocation for this year.

Rather than operating on an annual basis with the quantity of water defined by the water right, a MYFA temporarily replaces the water right with a 5-year quantity to be used as needed in response to growing season conditions. This option has been available to water users since 2012, providing flexibility by allowing the water right holder to exceed their annual authorized quantity in any year but restricts total pumping over the 5-year period.

To sign up for a MYFA that will include the 2022 pumping season, water right owners should contact or go to their regional KDA-DWR field office before the end of the year. An application must be filed on or before December 31 of the first year of the MYFA term for which the application is being made.

A MYFA is just one of the tools that farmers can use in their efforts to best manage their water. In addition to the flexibility provided by the MYFA option, farmers are also encouraged to consider water conservation practices such as drought-tolerant crop varieties, cropping patterns, water conservation areas, and irrigation technologies such as soil moisture probes, mobile drip irrigation systems, remote monitoring systems and more. By implementing the water conservation tools available, producers can work together to extend the long-term viability of the Ogallala aquifer which supplies water to the western third of the state.

KDA-DWR oversees water appropriation, including annual water use affiliated with water rights. For more information about the benefits of a MYFA and how to apply, go to www.agriculture.ks.gov/MYFA or call your regional field office or the main KDA-DWR office at 785-564-6640.

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Multi-Year Flex Accounts Can Help Manage Water Use in Drought Years.pdf
Fort Scott

Girls Who Code Club Program at the Fort Scott Public Library

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The Fort Scott Public Library’s Miss Val wants to help local children and teens gain interest and skills in the high-demand field of computer coding. While, as the name implies, Girls Who Code clubs have a special focus on attracting girls to the male-dominated coding industry, club meetings are open to all genders, and the curriculum is gender-neutral.

The library applied to form local club chapters and received approval in late October. The first meeting for the 3rd-5th graders’ club will take place on November 17 at 4:30 pm in the library’s event room. The 6th-12th grade club will begin on December 1 at 4:30 pm in the same place. The middle and high school club will continue meeting on the first Thursday of the month and the elementary club on the third Thursday, from January through May.

All club meetings are free, and will include an after school snack.

To register a child or teen for Girls Who Code Club, parents can fill out a registration form at Fort Scott Public Library or follow the instructions linked on the library’s website. Forms are also available for students through Bethany Higgins, technology teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary, and through Adam Feagins, technology teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.

Visit fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to learn more.

According to the Girls Who Code website, “Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does.” Girls Who Code clubs are available in the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, with at least 470,000 students who

Area News

Patients For Profit: Kaiser Health News

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KFF’s Kaiser Health News Investigates Private Equity’s Stealth Takeover of Health Care in the United States

 

A new investigation by KFF’s Kaiser Health News (KHN) lays bare the sizeable efforts by private equity investors to take over large and lucrative parts of the U.S health care system in recent years. KHN found that private equity firms have invested nearly $1 trillion through thousands of deals to acquire hospitals and specialized medical practices during the last decade alone.

The deals, many of them unnoticed by federal regulators, typically result in a ratcheting up of providers’ pursuit of profits – and higher prices for patients, lawsuits, and complaints about quality of care.

 

The investments range widely and include the acquisitions of physician practices, dental clinic management companies, companies that treat autism, drug addiction and other behavioral health care, and ancillary services such as diagnostic and urine testing labs and software for medical billing. Through other deals, companies tied to private equity have come to dominate specialized medical services such as dermatology, gastroenterology, and anesthesiology in certain markets around the country. All of it has come on top of better-publicized takeovers of hospital emergency room staffing firms as well as the buying up of entire rural hospital systems.

Federal regulators have been almost blind to the incursion. KHN found that more than 90 percent of private equity takeovers or investments fell below the $100 million threshold that triggers an antitrust review by the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department.

 

Whistleblowers and injured patients, however, have turned to the courts to press allegations of misconduct or other improper business dealings. KHN found that companies owned or managed by private equity have agreed to pay fines of more than $500 million since 2014 to settle at least 34 lawsuits filed under the False Claims Act. Most of the time, the private equity owners have avoided liability.

 

The latest story, published today in USA Today, is part of a broader ongoing series, “Patients for Profit: How Private Equity Hijacked Health Care” in which KHN has examined a wide range of private equity’s forays into the health care system. They include the marketing of America’s top-selling abortion pill, the establishment of “obstetric emergency departments” at some hospitals, investments in the booming hospice care industry and even takeovers of funeral homes and cemeteries. The series includes a video primer, “How Private Equity Is Investing in Health Care”.

 

KHN collaborates with many editorial partners, and media outlets can publish these and other KHN stories at no charge. KHN also will publish the stories on khn.org and promote them through its social media platforms. KHN journalists also are available for interviews about their stories. News organizations interested in working with KHN should contact the news service at [email protected], and those interested in helping to expand and improve health journalism around the country should contact KFF at [email protected].

 

About KFF and KHN

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis, Polling and Survey Research and Social Impact Media, KHN is one of the four major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

 
Read the Story

CONTACT:

Chris Lee | (202) 654-1403 | [email protected]


Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues,
KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.

kff.org  |  khn.org
Opinion

One-Hit Wonder by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom

 

In 1973, Vicki Lawrence became a one-hit wonder with her recording of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.“ Her husband, Bobby Russell, wrote the song and it reached #1 on the charts in the United States and Canada. Vicky is best known and loved for her successful comedy career on The Carol Burnett Show which aired from 1967 to 1978. Vicki actually introduced and performed her one-and-only hit song on the show. And then we never heard her sing another song on the airways again. She was a flash-in-the-pan  recording artist, but I still remember her and the song as being great!    

 

There’s an interesting account in the New Testament about a one-hit wonder named Ananias. He was a believer who lived in Damascus and one day the Lord spoke to him in a vision. He told Ananias to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for Saul of Tarsus. (Previously, Saul had been struck with blindness on the way to Damascus so his friends had to lead him on into town.)

 

Because Saul had a reputation for jailing and stoning believers, Ananias responded,  “’But Lord, I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon Your name.’ But the Lord said, ‘Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.’ So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight” (Acts 9:13-15,17-18 NLT).

 

The name “Ananias” means “the Lord’s gracious gift.” Saul needed this obedient believer to pray for him so he could receive his sight and be filled with the Holy  Spirit in order to fulfill the calling God had placed on his life. You might say Ananias was a New Testament flash-in-the-pan because we never hear anything about him again. I’ve wondered what would have happened if Ananias had refused to obey God‘s instructions. I’m thankful he rejected the spirit of fear and chose to obey, inspiring us to do the same.   Ananias was a man of God who didn’t let his trust rust — he used it to greatly advance God’s kingdom. His prompt obedience got Saul off the starting blocks with his ministry.

 

The important lesson to grasp is that Ananias obeyed God. As far as we know, he  was simply a believer, not a high priest, religious leader, pastor, or teacher. He received the strength and power from God to obey and perform his assignment. Any believer can be used to do God’s work. You don’t have to be qualified, you just have to be available — and willing to trust and obey.

 

Christ followers should have a full-fledged trust in God. Perhaps Ananias was quoting these verses on his way to pray for Saul: “But I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me” (Psalm 31:14,15 AMP).

 

The Key: When the Lord says, “Go,“ let’s trust Him enough to obey in a flash.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Jordan Holdridge Family

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Mrs. Autumn Durosette is a first grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.

She is the literal definition of God sent.

She is the perfect example when you hear of someone speak of how one single teacher can impact a child’s life and she did just that!

Our son is a engergic, sweet, loving boy when given the chance. He struggles with ADHD and a learning disability, so school is a tough place for him to thrive in.

Mrs. D, as he likes to call her, never once judged him or let this become an issue.

She made his ADHA his super power. She built his confidence up and helped him thrive. She took the time to get to know the little things about him that made the biggest differences. She strives to build a relationship with him so he could be his best self at school. She took a struggling little boy out of his shell and helped him thrive and loved him through the tough days. She went above and beyond for him in and out of school and kept in close contact with his parents.

We prayed for someone with a kind heart to help him in school and God heard our prayers and delivered Mrs. D.

Our son has since moved on to second grade and she continues to check in on him and care about him. We are beyond blessed to have had Mrs. D enter our lives and she deserves the world for her kind heart. Winfield Scott is full of amazing teachers that we have had the privilege of getting to know over the years but Mrs. D is God sent and should never go unnoticed. She deserves all the recognition for her dedication towards all of her students!

Thank you Mrs. D for everything!

The Jordan Holdridge Family

Fort Scott, Government

Opening on FS Street Advisory Board

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November 11, 2022

 

There is an opening on the Fort Scott Street Advisory Board. The function of the Board is to provide suggestions to the City Commission regarding road improvement projects throughout the City of Fort Scott. When submitting your letter/email of interest, please provide any specific knowledge or training you have that would complement you being a member of this Board. All Boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information please contact Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.0550. Please submit your letter of interest by December 9th, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Nov. 15th Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
November 15 th, 2022
6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
J. Jones T. Van Hoecke M. Wells K. Harrington
II. Flag Salute:
III. Invocation: Led by Matthew Wells
IV. Appointment of City Commissioner: Consideration of Robert Uhler, Bill Michaud, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, and Edwin Woellhof


V. Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 1, 2022, and minutes of the special meeting of November 7, 2022
B. Request to Pay – J. Richardson Construction – $54,210.27 – 17 th and Eddy Stormwater Improvements
C. Request to Pay – HDR Engineering, Inc. – $14,294.96 – Phase II Dam Improvements – Engineering
D. Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $37,622.15 – work performed during October


VI. Public Comment:
(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)
VII. Old Business:
A. Change Order #1 – L.G. Barcus and Sons, Inc. – $19,466.03 – Review itemized bill

VIII. Appearances:
A. Jack Ryan-Fellman of BakerTilly – October Financial Statements and Status of Engagement
B. Bailey Lyons – Splash Pad
IX. Public Hearing:
Financial Assistance and Pre-Application with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to Repair and/or Replace Two (2) Storm Sirens –
Presented by Fire Chief Dave Bruner and Emily Diebolt


X. New Business:
A. Consideration of Special Assessment Waiver – Fort Scott Manor – Shane Lamb – Sgt. W. Downey presenting
B. Consideration of Amendment of Boat License Ordinance 3054
C. Consideration of Approval for Auction of Seized Vehicles Awarded to Fort Scott Police Department – Police Chief Travis Shelton presenting
D. Consideration of Interim City Manager position


XII. Reports and Comments:
A. Interim City Manager Comments
B. Assistant City Manager Comments
C. Engineering Updates and Comments
D. Commissioner’ Reports and Comments
E. City Attorney Reports and Comments


XIII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for
Executive Sessions)
IX. Adjournment:

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Board of Education Agenda for Nov. 14

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BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY

 

1.0            Call Meeting to Order

           

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item

 

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

 

            4.1       Minutes from October 10, 2022, Board of Education Meeting

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – October 20, 2022 – $1,572,916.54

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

            4.6       Parent/Teacher Conference Statistics

4.7       Orchestra Extended Trip Application

 

5.0       Student Recognition – Anna Laubenstein

 

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion)

 

            6.1       Fort Scott KNEA Report

            6.2       Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report

 

7.0       Old Business

 

            7.1       Communications Update

7.2       ESSER III Budget Approval (Action Item)

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       Proposal for full-time construction services for the roof replacement proje

 

8.2       State of Kansas Municipal Investment Pool Resolution

8.3       RPS Benefits By Design, Inc. Consulting Agreement

            8.4       Premium Rate Schedule

8.5       District Health Insurance Recommendation

 

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting