All posts by Submitted Story
Mousetrap by Patty LaRoche
When it became apparent that Covid-19 was nothing to mess with, some people ignored its warning signs. One went so far as to host a party simply to prove he was fearless in the wake of this pandemic. Others, knowing they should be quarantined, conducted business as usual. Selfishness at its finest.
It reminds me of a story I heard years ago. It began with a mouse looking through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package; what food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a mousetrap! Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning, “There is a mousetrap in the house, there is a mousetrap in the house!”
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell you this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me; I cannot be bothered by it.”
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house.” “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse,” sympathized the pig, “but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers.”
The mouse turned to the cow who replied, “Like wow Mr. Mouse, a mousetrap; am I in grave danger? So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face the farmer’s mousetrap alone.
That very night the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey was heard throughout the house. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now, everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.
His wife’s sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer’s wife did not get well. In fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.
I think this parable is one we all should consider. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus states, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” The moral of the story is this: the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when the least of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
Kansas Biofuel Projects Announced
USDA Invests over $5 Million in Biofuel Infrastructure Projects that Include Kansas
Expanding Availability and Infrastructure of Higher-Blend Renewable Fuels in Salina, McPherson and Kansas City, Kansas
TOPEKA, Aug. 19, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $5.19 million to build infrastructure to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable biofuels through three projects in Kansas.
USDA is making the awards under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. The funding will help significantly increase the use of biofuels derived from U.S. agricultural products and prioritize climate-smart solutions that will help rural America.
“Investments like these increase energy options for Kansas consumers,” Fischer said. “By expanding the availability of higher-blend biofuels, we’re also expanding an important market for Kansas farmers.”
Today’s announcement includes investments in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin.
The projects involving Kansas include:
- TA Operating LLC will replace 28 dispensers and two storage tanks at two fueling stations in Salina, Kan. and Gary, Ind. This project is a $190,000 USDA investment and is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 1,104,682 gallons per year.
- Three G Energy Inc. will replace four dispensers at a fueling station in McPherson, Kan. This project is a $117,000 USDA investment and is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 894,742 gallons per year.
- Magellan Pipeline Company LP will install a 25,000-barrel storage tank, piping, pumps, gauging, manways, tank insertion heater and insulation, and small biodiesel mechanical building at a location in Kansas City, Kan. It also will install a 10,000-barrel storage tank with piping, pumps, gauging, manways tank insertion heater and insulation, and small biodiesel mechanical building at a distribution facility in Brookline, Mo. This project is a $ 4,884,077 USDA investment and is expected to increase the amount of biodiesel sold by 223,661,458 gallons per year.
Background:
Today’s announcement marks the one-year anniversary of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. To date, USDA has invested $66.4 million for projects that are expected to increase biofuels sales by 1.2 billion gallons annually.
Through this program, USDA helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers by sharing the costs to install fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure. For more information on the program, visit www.rd.usda.gov/hbiip. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda For August 25
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Wednesdays starting at 9:00
Date: August 25, 2021
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM WITH NO PUBLIC ATTENDANCE (PUBLIC
ATTENDANCE VIA YOUTUBE)
Call to Order
-
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
- Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
- Health Insurance Contract
- SEKAAA – Appoint Representative to the Board
- County Counselor Comment
- Susan Bancroft, Finance Director Comment
- Public Comment
- Elected Officials Comment
- Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Obituary of Donnie R. Moore
Donnie Ray Moore, age 71, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 19, 2021, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born May 21, 1950, in Prescott, Kansas, the son of William Lee Moore and Virgia May Alice Milton Moore. Donnie graduated from the Prescott High School. He then went on to serve with the United States Navy. Following his military service, Donnie returned to this area where he was employed by various farmers and stockmen. Donnie married Zo Ann Jackson on September 29, 2006. She preceded him in death on March 25, 2008. Donnie enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching sports on television. He was a great fan of NASCAR, the KU Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.
Survivors include a sister, Pat Oakes (Mike Olson), of Buffalo, Kansas, four nephews, Clay Oakes (Kelly), Jamie Oakes (Angie), Danny Oakes (Jillian) and Ronnie Moore (Sheryl); a niece, April Oakes; five great-nephews, three great-nieces and six great-great-nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William Moore, Jr. and a nephew, Rex Moore.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 26th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 P.M Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Donnie Moore Memorial Fund 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.
Flags Half-Staff to Honor Firefighter
Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Firefighter Josh Schwindt
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly directed flags be flown at half-staff at all state grounds, buildings, and facilities on August 20, 2021 in honor of Morton County firefighter Josh Schwindt, who was fatally electrocuted while searching for survivors of a rollover accident on August 16, 2021.
“Today, I directed flags be flown at half-staff to honor Morton County firefighter Josh Schwindt,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “My condolences are with his family, loved ones, and fellow Morton County firefighters during their time of loss. Josh’s commitment to protecting his community and his service to our state will not be forgotten.”
Josh Schwindt will be interred during services held on August 20, 2021.
To receive future email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 19
Grants Accepted For Local Organizations Until Aug. 31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Census Bureau Rep to Speak at Chamber Coffee On Aug. 19
FORTSCOTT.COM | 620-223-3566
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fort Scott Design Review Board Meets 18
The Design Review Board will meet on Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider two items.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports August 18
Funds To Help With Organic Certification for Producers
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2021 – Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021.
“USDA is here to help all producers, including those who grow our nation’s organic food and fiber. Many farmers have told us that cost was a barrier to their ability to get an organic certification,” said Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “By assisting with the costs, this program can help organic farmers get their certification along with the benefits that come with it.”
OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the 2021 and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.
For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the following categories (or “scopes”):
· crops
· wild crops
· livestock
· processing/handling
· State organic program fees.
Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office or a participating state agency.
This funding will be complemented by an additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. More information on that funding will be available in the coming weeks.
More Information
To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit the OCCSP webpage, visit usda.gov/organic, or contact your local USDA Service Center.
In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit http://www.usda.gov.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.