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Governor Kelly’s Year In Review
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:
- Fully funded K-12 education for the fifth year in a row;
- Fully funded the State Water Plan Fund and added significant new funding to secure water resources and improve water quality;
- Decriminalized the use of fentanyl test strips;
- Outlined the rights of foster youth, foster parents, and family caregivers named in honor of the late Representative Gail Finney; and
- Removed the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of child sex crimes.
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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Bo Co Republicans Meet January 11
The Bourbon Co Republicans have a meeting scheduled for:
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024
6:00 PM
Ft Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd, Ft Scott, KS
All Republicans & Independents cordially invited. Thank you for your help!
Deb Martin, Correspondence Secretary
No Rearview Mirrow by Carolyn Hayward Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Hayward Tucker
At the expense of sounding like the worst driver in the world, I’ll share my personal experience because it’s the perfect lede for this column.
My mother convinced me to enter my seven-month-old daughter in a baby contest in 1987. When we were in the car and on our way, I heard Mariam sneeze from the backseat. The thought of the possibility of snot running down her face was more than I could bear, so I turned around to see if there was a “disaster on aisle 3.” With my head turned and looking backward, I sideswiped an oncoming vehicle and my Buick and ended up in a bean field. My daughter and I were unhurt, and the driver of the other car had some scratches on her arm from the broken driver’s window. The wreck occurred because my attention wasn’t focused on what was in front of me. Looking backward instead of forward is the worst technique for driving.
Looking backward to your past is not the best approach to life either. Please don’t live your life looking in the rearview mirror. “Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 TEV.) Maybe your past hasn’t been perfect. If that’s the case, then join the crowd and realize you‘re in good company. The only perfect One on planet earth was Jesus. And even His life had some disappointments, hurts, and sorrow. I encourage you to let go of your past, move on, and embrace a future that’s full of hope in Christ.
It’s nice that we have a new year every 12 months because it gives us a fresh chance to change out the old and do things different and better. In Luke 9:51 TEV, it states that, “Jesus made up His mind….” Let’s make up our minds to do something beautiful for the Kingdom of God in 2024. We need to watch where we’re going and stop being halfhearted about our purpose and future.
Jesus is the loving and merciful Redeemer who can make all things new. Believe against all odds that divine help is on the way in 2024. Don’t look back at the things that have fallen to pieces, but look up and forward to Jesus. He is the One that is designing your future on a rock-solid foundation. “Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you” (Proverbs 4:25 NLT.)
Although I’m uneasy about heights, I managed to walk across the Royal Gorge four times by looking straight ahead and focusing my eyes on the other side of the bridge. Life is short and there’s no time to waste on wallowing in regret or discouragement about the past. We can pour our heart out to God for any sin or failure, humbly receive His mercy, and then bravely move forward in hope and peace.
If you search your heart and find something that you should apologize and ask forgiveness for, by all means, do it for the sake of peace. But if there’s nothing you can do to defuse the bomb of your past, then simply walk forward into your future holding onto Jesus‘ nail-scarred hand. He loves you and can heal you everywhere you hurt. But you have to make up your mind to let Him soothe away the scars of your past.
Let’s stop looking back and intensify our commitment to do something worthwhile for the Kingdom of God.
The Key: Obliterate your rearview mirror so you won’t look backward at your life.
Obituary of Charles Allen
Charles Arthur Allen, 85, of Holland Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 23rd, 2023, with his family lovingly by his side. Although his family is deeply saddened by his passing, they are encouraged knowing that Charles touched many lives during his time on earth and is now celebrating in the arms of the Lord. Charles was not one to quote scripture, but he encouraged others by the way he lived. He believed in living life with a smile, a funny greeting and often his goodbye… “Keep up the good work.” Those who met him were blessed to have known him.
Charles is survived by his loving wife Linda of 63 years; son Kurt Allen (wife Nona), daughters Susan Leonard and Kristin Wade (husband Robert); Nine grandchildren, Jacki Ferrier (husband Ryan), Lauren Ammons, Joce Renfro (husband Jordan), Kayla Crane (husband Ennio), Tim Wade (wife Kaity), Christopher Allen (wife Bryanna), Courtney Stoppel (husband Grant), Faith Adams (husband Davis) and Cale Wade; and four great grandchildren, Eden Cazares, Emma Crane, Archer Renfro and Juniper Adams; brother Harold “Pete” Allen (wife Janice) and sister Barbara Wheeler. Charles is loved and remembered by Rebecca Allen, Jim Leonard and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Esther Allen; sister Bonnie Hill and brothers Tommy Allen and Jerry Allen.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life in Holland, Michigan that will be held at Rose Park Baptist Church on January 13th, 2024. An additional celebration of life will be held in Fort Scott, Kansas at Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel on January 20th, 2024 at 10:30 am.
Obituary of Russell Blubaugh
Russell Leroy Blubaugh, age 88, a resident of Olathe, Kansas, passed away early Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe. He was born December 20, 1935, in Bentley, Kansas, the sixth child of Oscar H. Blubaugh and Minnie A. Krauss Blubaugh’s ten children. In 1948, the Blubaugh family moved from Bently to a farm in Anderson County, Kansas northeast of Westphalia. Russ attended Mont Ida Rural Grade School and went on to graduate from Westphalia High School. He married Evelyn June Johns on June 8, 1961. Russ, along with his brother, Roger, eventually took over the operation of the Blubaugh Farm. They grew row crops, milked and raised beef cattle. They took pride in their land and received an Anderson County Soil Conservation award. While in Garnett, Russ and Evelyn were member of the First Christian Church where Russ served as a Deacon. In 1985, Russ and Evelyn left the farm and moved to Olathe, Kansas where Russ began working as a plumber for Gladstone Plumbing where he worked with his longtime friends Raymond and Milton Johnston. He worked in the profession until the mid-1990’s. Russ was a natural when it came to fixing things. Therefore, when he retired from plumbing, he started a part-time job with Lowe’s in Olathe. He enjoyed staying busy and helping the many customers. Russ enjoyed woodworking and helping Evelyn keep up their yard and flowerbeds, but above all he enjoyed spending time with his four granddaughters. Many hours were spent riding bikes, swimming, and going out for ice cream. Russ will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Hastert (Duane) of Garnett, Kansas and Deann Mitchell (Greg) of Olathe, Kansas; four granddaughters, Meagan Ingold (Josh), Lauryn Linzay (Jesse), Shelby Ellis (Tim) and Sydney Gray (Tristan) and two great-grandsons, Carter and Kaysen Ingold with another Ellis grandson on the way. Also surviving are four brothers, Roger Blubaugh (Judy) of Olathe, Kansas, Reuben Blubaugh (Barbara) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, David Blubaugh (Sheila) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Steve Blubaugh also of Excelsior Springs and a sister, Norma Jean Nilges of Garnett. Russ was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, on September 3, 2022; two infant twin great-granddaughters, Marcie and Jaycie Ellis as well as his parents, three brothers, Ralph, Robert and Raymond Blubaugh and a sister, Lois Nilges.
Pastor Chris Goetz will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 2nd at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Mont Ida Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Friends of the Garnett Library 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.
FS City Commission Agenda for January 2
The only order of business for 1-2-2024 is to establish the new 2024 City Commission. All other business will be discussed on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 6:00PM
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
January 2, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: M. Wells
III. New Business
A. Oath of Office – Commissioner Tracy Dancer and Commissioner Dyllon Olson
B. Appointment of Mayor of Fort Scott
C. Appointment of President of the City Commission of Fort Scott
D. Review and agreement of Code of Ethics – Ordinance 3563
E. Review and agreement of Code of Procedure for the Commission of the City
of Fort Scott, Kansas
IV. Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
V. Reports and Comments:
A. City Manager Comments:
B. Commissioners Comments:
T. VanHoecke –
M. Wells –
M. Guns –
T. Dancer –
D. Olson
C. City Attorney Comments:
VI. Executive Session:
VII. Adjournment:
Next regular meeting scheduled: Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 6:00PM
Community Presentation to Disrupt the Exploitation of Sex Traffickers
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!
LOCATION:Fort Scott Community College Ellis Fine Arts Center
SPONSORS: E3 RANCH FOUNDATION & BOURBON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
DATE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31ST
TIME: 6 PM
OTHER DETAILS: NO CHILDREN PLEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SHANDA STEWART 620-215- 2681
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
Governor: Kansans to See State Sales Tax Go Down on Food for Second Straight Year
Governor Kelly Announces Grocery Shoppers Can Expect an Additional $150M in Tax Relief in 2024
~~Kansans to See State Sales Tax Go Down on Food for Second Straight Year~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that in 2024, consumers in the Sunflower State are projected to see an additional $150 million in savings because of the “Axe the Food Tax” legislation she signed in 2022. According to projections from the Kansas Department of Revenue, the reduction of the state sales tax on groceries from 4% to 2% will save shoppers $12.5 million per month in 2024.
“By taking a middle-of-the-road approach, we have been able to continue putting money back in the pockets of every Kansan,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This reduction is a step toward eliminating the state sales tax on groceries completely, which will happen in 2025.”
After working tirelessly to put the state on solid financial footing, in 2021 Governor Kelly called on the Kansas Legislature to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries as soon as possible. The legislature ultimately passed legislation that gradually reduced the state sales tax on groceries over three years.
In 2023, the state sales tax rate on groceries went down from 6.5% to 4%, saving consumers $187.7 million per year. By the end of 2024, it is projected that shoppers will have saved more than half a billion dollars in sales tax on groceries over the two years the reduction has been in place.
The state sales tax reduction applies to food, food ingredients, and certain prepared foods. When looking at a receipt, shoppers will see two tax rates, one for qualifying purchases and one for all other items.
The reduction to the 2% state sales tax on qualifying items goes into effect on January 1, 2024.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 29
What Kind of a Wait-er Are You by Patty LaRoche
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Are you a considerate “wait-er”? Not like the person who takes your restaurant order, but one who is asked to demonstrate patience? Think of traffic jams. Lengthy red lights when no car is in sight. Standing in a return line after Christmas. Unnecessary, college requirements in order to graduate. Impulsive credit card debt as opposed to saving money for a purchase. Writing off a potential friendship because of a bad first impression.
If you’re like me, your patience is constantly tested. Think, the grocery store line. You choose the shortest one and watch everyone in the longer lines get out the door before you. This is a regular occurrence for me. My line always seems to be the one in which the customer argues about the price or has expired coupons or whose debit card is denied. I wouldn’t mind it if they made eye contact and said they were sorry, but they seem oblivious to me tapping my toes or clearing my throat or semi-whispering, “Seriously???!!!”
We impatient types do not accept that this “now” moment is a teachable one but focus only on what is ahead.
The article “Exploring Your Mind” listed eight consequences of impatience. Two came as a shock: (1) it causes obesity (because you eat impulsively) and (2) it speeds up the aging process by weakening the telomeres, structures that protect DNA from breaking down so the signs of aging appear. (In other words, if I don’t get my impatience under control, I will become fat and wrinkly.)
I make rash decisions with less-than-desirable consequences. Volunteering to help where I am not qualified. Purchasing a car that cannot handle our town’s brick streets. Becoming involved in a friendship that zaps my energy. Defending someone without knowing both sides of the story. When I am impatient, I expect God to answer my prayers…Now!
The crazy thing is, being too patient also can be problematic. I know people who are patient to a fault. (I do not fall into this category.) They cannot make a decision and miss out on great sales/ job opportunities. They spend too much time weighing their options for wonderful friendships or a loving relationship. They delay seeing a doctor until the prognosis is a deadly one.
Let’s face it. We all are called to be a patient “wait-er.” In the Bible, we read in the Old Testament of the Israelites waiting hundreds of years for the Messiah to appear, and as Christians, we also wait expectantly for that same Messiah to return to earth for the final days before eternal judgment begins. In the meantime, we are to find the balance necessary between impatience and patience, to enjoy our journey and not waste the “now” in our lives.
Sounds like a perfect New Years’ Eve Resolution, don’t you think?
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Meeting Agenda for January 3, 2024
The monthly Bourbon County Coalition Meeting will be on January 3, 1:00 p.m., in the Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments. If unable to attend and have an announcement, send it to Billie Jo Drake to share.
Please be thinking about future programs that could be scheduled; bring ideas to the meeting!
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
January 3, 2024
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Tess Watson, bed project
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be February 7, 2024.