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Government, Kansas

Feral Kansas Swine Webinar Dec. 1

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Webinar to Discuss Feral Swine in Kansas

 

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture will host an informational webinar on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. CST to offer an update on the management practices used in Kansas to control feral swine. The webinar will feature a presentation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services program.

 

USDA–APHIS–WS works in collaboration with KDA to help monitor, control and eradicate feral swine in Kansas. This webinar will be hosted by Dr. Justin Smith, Animal Health Commissioner at KDA, and will feature presentations from several USDA representatives including the head of field operations in Kansas along with a disease epidemiologist. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions throughout the presentations, and the webinar will be recorded and available for viewing after its completion.

 

To register for the webinar, go to agriculture.ks.gov/AnimalHealthOutreach. For additional information on the webinar or on animal health issues in Kansas, contact the KDA Division of Animal Health at 785-564-6601 or [email protected].

Obituary

Obituary of Carrie Elbrader

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Carrie Lee (Middleton/Bruner) Elbrader passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Carrie was a long-time resident of Bourbon County, Kansas and career teacher for over thirty years.  She was born on February 25, 1930, in Ft. Scott, Kansas to Lee and Allie Middleton.
She was the first of six children, which surely started her teaching career, you don’t have five younger siblings without doing some teaching. Carrie graduated from Uniontown High School and continued her education at Ft Scott Jr College, Pittsburg Teacher’s College and Pittsburg State University. She attained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education. She taught at several schools in Bourbon County and for five years in Chanute, Kansas. She loved being a teacher and had so many fond memories of students and colleagues.
Carrie was most happy when around family and friends. She was lucky to have special people in her life such as Idella Brown and her husband Keith, who provided special care for her. She was a loving, sacrificial mother that wasn’t afraid to express that love at the end of a switch! A topnotch grandmother that would go squirrel hunting, fishing and bake all kinds of goodies, somewhere along the way she lost that switch. She enjoyed sharing whatever she had and loved seeing others enjoy her loving gifts. She always made sure you had what you needed-plus a few things you didn’t need. She loved her home, her family, her friends and the simple way of life. Many hours were spent around the dining room table drinking coffee, eating cinnamon rolls and discussing life with her dear friends. On Friday night it was out to eat and then home for a pitch game. She was a comfortable person that made others comfortable as well.
Carrie was preceded in death by her parents Lee and Alli Middleton, husband, Don Elbrader, one sister, Carolyn Rourke, one brother, David Middleton and grandson, Tyler Juden. Carrie is survived by her siblings Lois, Kenneth, Donna and their families, two children, daughter, Reatha Juden and husband Bob, a son Gary Bruner and partner Ruthie England, grandchildren, Eli, Erin, Ivy and Jacey and great grandchildren, Eden, Macey, Lealind, Londyn, Domonic, Ava, Easton and Oaklee.  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.  Psalms 116:15
Due to Covid, a private burial will take place at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery southwest of Ft. Scott.  A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to the Uniontown United Methodist Church 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.
Obituary

Obituary of Wilbur Mowen

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Wilbur Eugene Mowen, Sr., age 97, a former resident of Merriam, Kansas and more recently of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at his home at the Presbyterian Village in Ft. Scott.

He was born August 29, 1923, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the son of Ned W. Mowen and Amanda L. Dawson Mowen.  He married Mae Steffler on July 22, 1944, at Monaca, Pennsylvania.

Wilbur served for several years with the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict.  Following his military service, the family moved west and eventually settled in the Kansas City area where Wilbur found employment at the Nazarene Publishing House.

Wilbur worked in electronic maintenance and his wife, Mae, served as the receptionist.  Wilbur was very mechanically minded and could fix most anything rather it be at work, church or for a friend.  He was a pilot and used his mechanical ability to restore vintage airplanes.  Wilbur was a longtime member of the Shawnee Church of the Nazarene.  Music was always an important part of the family’s life.  Wilbur enjoyed singing and playing the guitar.  He also played bass for the Southwood Samaritans.

 

Survivors include his wife of seventy-six years, Mae Mowen, of the home in Ft. Scott; three children, Jeanne Lynch (Jim), of Loveland, Colorado, Wilbur E. Mowen, Jr. (Patricia), of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Richard Mowen (Leta), of Shawnee, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Janice, Julie, James, Andrew, Jessica, Brent, Jeff, David and Sally and a host of great and great-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is a sister, Sally Mowen, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by a son, Ned Mowen who died in infancy and several brothers and sisters.

 

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Monday, November 23rd at the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Military honors will be provided by the U. S. Navy.  The family will receive friends on Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel from 12:30 until leaving for the cemetery at 1:15 P.M.

Memorials are suggested to Integrity Hospice 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.

Fort Scott, Government

Michell Resigns FS City Commission: Applications Sought For Replacement

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JoLynne Mitchell.

Effective November 19, 2020 JoLynne Mitchell has resigned her position as City Commissioner on the Fort Scott City Commission.

Persons interested in applying to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Mitchell are asked to submit a letter of interest to: City Clerk, Diane Clay at 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or by email at [email protected].

Letters of interest must be received by the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30th, 2020. Only individuals who reside in the city limits of Fort Scott are eligible to apply.

Once the appointment has been made, it will become effective at the December 1st, 2020 City Commission meeting and expire in December of 2021.

Any additional information or questions may be obtained by contacting Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Mistletoe Market Tonight at the River Room

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TONIGHT – DON’T MISS IT!
4-8PM
Over 40 vendors in
The River Room Event Center,
above Luther’s BBQ!
FREE admission to the vendor show.
Santa, his elf & the Grinch will be on-site from 5-7pm,
free-will offering for pictures w/proceeds going to
SEK Special Olympics.
Free-will donation to vote for your favorite of
two decorated trees w/ proceeds going to
Bourbon County CASA and Feeding Families in His Name.
Food (walking tacos & pulled pork sandwiches) and beverage will be available for purchase.
Come get in the holiday spirit and
support these local vendors!
See flyers below for vendor listing & more details.
Sincerely,
ALL OF US AT THE RIVER ROOM
Event organized by:
TINA LIPE
CLICK HERETO FOLLOW THE EVENT
ON FACEBOOK.
VENDOR LISTING – SEE BELOW!
Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Meets Today to Accept Resignation of Mitchell

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From the new interim city manager Jeff Hancock.

The City Commission will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to accept the resignation of JoLynne Mitchell and discuss the process on how to fill this position. This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You Tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.

In her existing role, the Mayor has agreed to call this meeting but will not attend. Commissioner Nichols, the Commission President, will preside. A vacancy is created only after the commission accepts the resignation.

I have discussed this issue with the City Attorney. The attached Ordinance 3290 governs the filling of a vacancy and allows us only 10 days after the vacancy is created to fill it. The remaining Commissioners choose a suitable elector/resident of the City to fill the remainder of Commissioner Mitchell’s term. The Commissioners do have some leeway to suspend the rules as it regards to the 10 days but must do so by majority vote. State Statute controls the issue of a tiebreaker. If the Commissioners cannot agree, the City Attorney is technically the tiebreaker. The City Attorney indicates that he will do everything he can to push a decision without him picking and trusts that someone is acceptable to at least 3 of the remaining 4 Commissioners.

I have the attached the ordinance and a previous July 17, 2014 Press Release seeking a Candidates of a City Commission vacancy. If you need additional information, please let me know

Government, Kansas

Commercial Industrial Hemp Hearing Dec. 7

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Hearing for Proposed Adoption of Commercial Industrial Hemp Regulations

 

MANHATTAN, Kansas — A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020, to consider the adoption of proposed regulations to govern commercial industrial hemp production in Kansas. Due to public health concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing proceedings will be held via a video conferencing system to provide the opportunity for virtual participation online. Although in-person participation is also an option, attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing and to comply with local health requirements.

 

Due to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp from the federal

Controlled Substances Act, and the Commercial Industrial Hemp Act passed in Kansas in 2019, the Kansas Department of Agriculture is proposing rules and regulations K.A.R. 4-34-22 through 4-34-30.

 

A copy of the proposed new regulations, as well as an expanded notice of public hearing, may be accessed on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/PublicComment. Anyone desiring to participate via video conference or in person must pre-register and be provided with a video link or instructions for in-person attendance. Written comments can be submitted on the public comment web page prior to the hearing or sent to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66502.

 

Any individual with a disability may request accommodation in order to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the regulations in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least five working days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations, please contact Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or [email protected].

 

###

 

WHAT:          Public hearing on proposed commercial industrial hemp regulations

WHEN:          10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020

WHERE:       Virtual: via video conferencing system

In person: Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Dr., Manhattan

 

Bourbon County, Business

Help For Businesses

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ATTENTION:
New and Expanding Businesses
See below for current funding opportunities & resources including:
  • 0% Interest Loan Fund through SEKRPC/CARES Act
  • Locally approved E-Community loans for new or expanding entrepreneurs through the Chamber
  • B-WERC: Bourbon County Workforce & Entrepreneur Resource Center available in Downtown Fort Scott
SEKRPC/CARES ACT LOAN FUND
0% interest loan opportunity available
through the SEKRPC for up to $130,000
First Come First Serve
***Note that Dacia Clark with SBDC located in the B-WERC office Downtown, highlighted below, can assist you in completing this application.
Click here to email Dacia to make an appointment if applicable:
Please see link below for the SEKRPC (Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission) CARES Act RLF (Revolving Loan Fund) plan.
The SEKRPC CARES Act RLF does differ from the normal SEKRPC RLF and the major differences are listed below.
Please see link here for the CARES Act RLF Pamphlet that breaks down this information into a smaller document. This serves as an informational guide for interested applicants.
Also attached is an application that includes a list of supporting documents required with the submission of an application.
The CARES Act RLF funds are being distributed on a first come first serve basis, with the first completed application (application and all supporting documents) being turned in used as the first application for consideration.
 The major differences between the CARES Act RLF and the
SEKRPC normal RLF are listed below:
  • Applicants are eligible for 0% interest
  • Applicants do not have to have a denial letter from other lending sources before applying
  • The CARES Act RLF fund does not require leverage capital
  • The maximum loan amount is 25% of the available funds (Starting at 130,000.00)
If you have any questions about the SEKRPC CARES Act RLF or how it
should operate please contact the following for clarification.
Tanya Jacobs
Executive Assistant
Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission
PO Box 664
Chanute, KS 66720-0664
P: 620-431-0080
E-COMMUNITY LOAN FUND
E-Community Loan Fund
Current terms: 4% for 10 years up to $45,000
Need funding for a new or existing business?
We can easily make that possible through the
E-Community loan program administered by the
Click here for the application with more details,
it is a painless application process locally
approved by the Chamber Executive Committee.
This is gap financing, 40% of the project/need needs to be
financed by a local or regional funding source
Click here to like our E-Community FB page!
Additional loan programs are available through NetWork Kansas in addition to the E-Community loan,
if additional gap financing is needed.
B-WERC – NOW OPEN DOWNTOWN FS!
Bourbon County Workforce & Entrepreneur
Resource Center
Take advantage of business resources available NOW in the upper level of the Kress building Downtown!
KS SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
is on-site Mondays & Fridays for new & existing business consulting, coaching, financial projections & review,
industry reports, marketing & more!
Southeast KANSASWORKS
is on-site Tuesdays & Thursdays to assist Employers & Job Seekers with any and all employment needs!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE RESOURCES
RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY!
See flyer below for details and phone numbers
to set up an appointment.
Contact the Chamber with questions on any
of the programs shown above:
620-223-3566
COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Kansas Governor Combats The Spread of COVID-19

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Steps to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced several new steps her administration is taking to combat the spike in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The new plan includes a public health campaign, community engagement conversations and an executive order establishing a statewide face-covering protocol as part of her administration’s all-of-the-above strategy to keep Kansans healthy, keep schools and businesses open, and protect Kansas’ economy.

“As COVID-19 continues to spread through Kansas communities and hospitalizations increase at concerning rates, it is clear we must take action to protect our communities and our economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Today’s actions are a bipartisan package of recommendations from legislators, health professionals, and business leaders to increase participation in commonsense COVID-19 prevention practices.”

E.O. #20-68 takes effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, and will remain in place until rescinded or until the current statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires – whichever is earlier.

“My administration recognizes that each Kansas county is faced with unique challenges – and a one-size-fits-all approach can be difficult for some communities to navigate,” Governor Kelly said. “The order allows local officials one week to craft and implement their own version of a face covering ordinance that works for them and their communities.”

Under the order, Kansans shall wear face coverings when inside public spaces, or in situations where physical distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Guidance regarding specific locations or situations in which face coverings should be worn is outlined within the order.

Kansans under five years of age, those with medical conditions, and others outlined in the order are exempt from face covering protocol.

View E.O. #20-68 here.

In addition to the face-covering protocol, the Kelly administration is partnering with The Leadership Center to mobilize its alumni base, which is nearly 12,000 strong, to mobilize and lead virtual non-partisan convenings across Kansas beginning the week of November 17 and concluding by late December. The project will dramatically increase the number of local leaders – pastors, coaches, neighborhood leaders, business owners, community officials, and others to use their influence to combat the virus.

This week, Governor Kelly also approved CARES Act funding to assist a coalition of stakeholders including the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Farm Bureau, and others, to create a statewide public health campaign to begin next week. The campaign will encourage Kansans to follow the best practices, encourage voluntary testing, avoid mass gatherings, and use face-coverings.